NewzIntel.com

Category: Entertainment

  • MIL-OSI: Audius Expands Its Music Marketplace, Enabling Direct On-Platform Payments from Millions of Fans to Thousands of Artists They Love

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LAS VEGAS, Sept. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — via CryptoCurrencyWire — Audius, the largest decentralized music community and discovery platform for artists and their fans, announced today that the game changing monetization feature the company rolled out to select artists last year is emerging from private beta. Now any artist in the world can set their own terms and control the pricing of their music, and fans can support their favorite artists with direct payments. Music fans can seamlessly use their credit card to pay artists in USDC, which can be converted by artists and rights holders to any currency of their choice.

    As part of the expansion of the Audius music marketplace, for the first time, 10% of every payment will now be captured by the Audius community treasury, with proceeds to be used at the direction of on-chain governance. A governance proposal is pending to finalize this change.

    “It’s been very cool and surprising to see how artists have leveraged our music marketplace to engage with their fans while creating an entirely new revenue stream for themselves,” said Audius Co-Founder and CEO Roneil Rumburg. “From selling downloads to creating innovative contests, artists have really stretched the marketplace to fit their needs.”

    Audius first launched its music marketplace in beta in November 2023, opening the monetization feature to more than 100 artists around the world. One early adopter, producer Kato On The Track, immediately leveraged the new feature to generate revenue via download sales of his music and beats.

    “I like being an early adopter of new innovative platforms like Audius,” said Kato. “I can build new communities on Audius, and they have the tools that let me engage with my audience in ways that I can’t do on other music platforms.”

    Another artist, rapper MadeinTYO sold beats on Audius and invited his fanbase to create songs using his stems and upload them back onto the platform. He picked a winner and flew them to Tokyo (where he was raised) to collaborate for a studio session and to enjoy the city with him.

    “Artists today really have to be able to create special, memorable moments for their fans,” said MadeinTYO. “Audius is a unique vessel, which allows me to create unique ways to interact with my fans, while keeping the music first.”

    Many independent record labels and distributors have already signed with Audius to make more money for their artists including DistroKid, EMPIRE, Nettwerk Music, Ninja Tune, Merge Records, Ampsuite, Circus Records, Anjunadeep, Anjunabeats, and others. Just last month the company announced a licensing pact with Kobalt, one of the world’s largest independent music publishers. Earlier this year Audius announced that it had forged pivotal deals with the world’s top performing rights organizations: ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and GMR.

    About Audius:
    Audius is a community-owned music marketplace, where for the first time, artists and their fans can find, communicate, and transact with each other directly. Artists are no longer reliant on middlemen, creating a new music economy for a new generation. Backed by an all-star team of investors, Audius was founded in 2018 and serves millions of users every month, making it one of the largest crypto applications ever built. Sign up today at https://audius.co.

    Contacts
    John Vlautin
    SpinLab Communications
    jv@spinlab.net

    Jill Mango
    SpinLab Communications
    jill@spinlab.net

    Molly Sheban
    SpinLab Communications
    molly@spinlab.net

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Surgent CPE to Premiere 14 New Courses in Q4 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RADNOR, Pa., Sept. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Surgent Accounting & Financial Education, a division of KnowFully Learning Group, today announced the premiere of 14 new continuing professional education (CPE) courses debuting in Q4 2024.

    “Surgent’s dedication to providing timely, practical learning is central to our mission of helping accounting and finance professionals thrive,” said Elizabeth Kolar, executive vice president of Surgent. “Our latest course offerings reflect Surgent’s commitment to offering premium content that goes beyond compliance, giving professionals the tools they need to make real-world applications of complex tax laws, business practices and industry regulations.”

    The new course offerings cover a diverse range of subjects, including taxation, client advisory services, financial planning and compliance issues. Many of these courses focus on current tax implications, gig economy trends, executive compensation, and the impact of the upcoming 2024 presidential and congressional elections.

    “The 2024 election and ongoing economic shifts are at the forefront of many of our customers’ concerns,” said Nick Spoltore, Surgent’s vice president of tax and advisory content. “These courses provide timely insights to help practitioners offer more informed advice to their clients, whether they’re dealing with tax planning, client advisory services, or executive compensation.”

    Below is a preview of the new offerings, along with their premiere dates. All courses are worth two CPE credits, except where noted.

    The 14 new CPE courses are scheduled as follows:

    Registration for each course is open now at SurgentCPE.com. All new courses will debut as a live webinar, while some will later be available on-demand.

    About Surgent Accounting & Financial Education
    Surgent Accounting & Financial Education, a division of KnowFully Learning Group, is a provider of the high-impact education experiences that accounting, tax and financial professionals need throughout their careers. For most of the company’s 35-year history, Surgent has been a trusted provider of continuing professional education (CPE), continuing education (CE) and skill-based training that professionals need to maintain their credentials and stay current on industry changes. More recently, Surgent became one of the fastest-growing certification exam review providers, offering predictive learning-based courses that help learners pass accounting and finance credentialing exams faster. Learn more at Surgent.com.

    About KnowFully Learning Group
     The KnowFully Learning Group provides continuing professional education, exam preparation courses and education resources to the accounting, finance and healthcare sectors. KnowFully’s suite of learning solutions helps learners become credentialed, satisfy required credit hours to maintain credentials and stay informed on the latest trends and critical changes in their industries over the course of their careers. The company provides exam preparation and continuing education for accounting, finance, and tax professionals headlined by the Surgent Accounting & Financial Education brand. KnowFully’s healthcare education brands include American Fitness Professionals & Associates, ChiroCredit, Impact EMS Training, Online CE, PharmCon freeCE, PharmCon Rx Consultant and Psychotherapy.net. For more information, please visit KnowFully.com.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7b56442d-7af7-42c6-b096-7412c5b4a366

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Strong Global Entertainment Announces Closing of Sale of Strong/MDI for Approximately $30 Million

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Mooresville, NC, Sept. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Strong Global Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: SGE) (“Strong Global”) and Fundamental Global Inc. (Nasdaq: FGF, FGFPP) (“Fundamental Global”) are pleased to announce the closing of the previously announced sale of Strong/MDI Screen Systems, Inc. (“MDI”) from Strong Global to Saltire Holdings Ltd (“Saltire”).

    Mark Roberson, Chief Executive Officer of Strong Global, commented, “We are pleased to announce the closing of the sale of MDI. This is one element of our previously announced strategy to streamline operations, increase liquidity and drive shareholder value. We expect the transaction to result in a net pre-tax financial statement gain in excess of $25 million. At closing, Strong Global holds approximately 37% of the outstanding common shares of Saltire, and we look forward to participating in the Saltires’ long term growth strategy.”

    At closing, and after a working capital adjustment, Strong Global received total consideration of $29.5 million, consisting of $0.8 million of cash, $9.0 million of preferred shares of Saltire, and $19.7 million of common shares of Saltire.

    Prior to the Closing, Strong Global did not own or control any securities of Saltire. Strong Global received 1,972,723 common shares and 900,000 series A preferred shares of Saltire as consideration under the transaction.

    Strong Global may acquire additional securities including on the open market or through private acquisitions or sell the securities including on the open market or through private dispositions in the future depending on market conditions, general economic and industry conditions, Saltire’s business and financial condition, and/or other relevant factors, and Strong Global may develop such plans or intentions in the future.

    A copy of the Early Warning Report to be filed by Strong Global in connection with the transaction described above will be available on its SEDAR+ profile at http://www.sedarplus.ca.

    About Strong Global Entertainment, Inc.

    Strong Global Entertainment, Inc., a majority owned subsidiary of Fundamental Global Inc., is a leader in the entertainment industry, providing mission critical products and services to cinema exhibitors and entertainment venues for over 90 years.

    About Fundamental Global Inc.

    Fundamental Global Inc. (Nasdaq: FGF, FGFPP) and its subsidiaries engage in diverse business activities including reinsurance, asset management, merchant banking, manufacturing and managed services.

    The FG® logo and Fundamental Global® are registered trademarks of Fundamental Global LLC.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These statements are therefore entitled to the protection of the safe harbor provisions of these laws. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “budget,” “can,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “envision,” “estimate,” “expect,” “evaluate,” “forecast,” “goal,” “guidance,” “indicate,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “might,” “outlook,” “plan,” “possibly,” “potential,” “predict,” “probable,” “probably,” “pro-forma,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “view,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result” or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. In particular, discussions and statements regarding the Company’s future business plans and initiatives are forward-looking in nature. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates, and projections. While we believe these to be reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. These and other important factors may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, and may impact our ability to implement and execute on our future business plans and initiatives. Management cautions that the forward-looking statements in this release are not guarantees of future performance, and we cannot assume that such statements will be realized or the forward-looking events and circumstances will occur. Factors that might cause such a difference include, without limitation: risks associated with our inability to identify and realize business opportunities, and the undertaking of any new such opportunities; our lack of operating history or established reputation in the reinsurance industry; our inability to obtain or maintain the necessary approvals to operate reinsurance subsidiaries; risks associated with operating in the reinsurance industry, including inadequately priced insured risks, credit risk associated with brokers we may do business with, and inadequate retrocessional coverage; our inability to execute on our investment and investment management strategy, including our strategy to invest in the risk capital of special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs); our ability to maintain and expand our revenue streams to compensate for the lower demand for our digital cinema products and installation services; potential interruptions of supplier relationships or higher prices charged by suppliers in connection with our Strong Global business; our ability to successfully compete and introduce enhancements and new features that achieve market acceptance and that keep pace with technological developments; our ability to maintain Strong Global’s brand and reputation and retain or replace its significant customers; challenges associated with Strong Global’s long sales cycles; the impact of a challenging global economic environment or a downturn in the markets; the effects of economic, public health, and political conditions that impact business and consumer confidence and spending, including rising interest rates, periods of heightened inflation and market instability; potential loss of value of investments; risk of becoming an investment company; fluctuations in our short-term results as we implement our new business strategy; risks of being unable to attract and retain qualified management and personnel to implement and execute on our business and growth strategy; failure of our information technology systems, data breaches and cyber-attacks; our ability to establish and maintain an effective system of internal controls; our limited operating history as a public company; the requirements of being a public company and losing our status as a smaller reporting company or becoming an accelerated filer; any potential conflicts of interest between us and our controlling stockholders and different interests of controlling stockholders; potential conflicts of interest between us and our directors and executive officers; risks associated with our related party transactions and investments; and risks associated with our investments in SPACs, including the failure of any such SPAC to complete its initial business combination. Our expectations and future plans and initiatives may not be realized. If one of these risks or uncertainties materializes, or if our underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected, estimated or projected. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof and do not necessarily reflect our outlook at any other point in time. We do not undertake and specifically decline any obligation to update any such statements or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any such statements to reflect new information, future events or developments.

    Investor Relations Contacts:
    IR@strong-entertainment.com

    investors@fundamentalglobal.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Empowering Lives, Fostering Growth: Inspiring Journeys of Workers at Samsung’s Chennai Plant

    Source: Samsung

    Praveen (left) and Selvan (right) taking a break around their favourite spot at Samsung’s Chennai Plant
     
    At Samsung’s Chennai manufacturing plant, where state-of-the-art TVs, air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, and compressors are produced, the heartbeat of the facility is not just the hum of the machinery—it’s the lives of thousands of dedicated workers whose stories are interwoven with the company’s commitment to their well-being and growth.
     
    The Chennai plant, one of Samsung’s largest in India, has long been known for fostering a worker-friendly environment. It provides continuous training, and numerous welfare programs, all designed to ensure the well-being and development of the workforce.
     
    Employees with an impeccable attendance record get constant incentives, which motivates them to be more present at work. There are awards in four different categories to uplift the morale of employees who continuously thrive to give outstanding performance.
     
    Empowerment through Opportunity
    For over fourteen years, Tamil Selvan has been part of the Samsung family, starting his journey as a apprentice at the plant. Coming from a modest background, he recalls how joining Samsung was more than just a job—it was the start of a transformation.
     
    Tamil Selvan: “At Samsung, it’s not just about doing a job—it’s about being heard, being valued, getting rewarded”
     
    “Fourteen Years… It feels just like yesterday. It is not just about work, I have literally grown from a boy to a man here. Over time, with Samsung’s continuous support and opportunities for growth, I was able to change my life. I have supported my younger sibling’s education, helped with their marriage, got married myself, bought a house, and now I even own a car,” said Tamil Selvan, from the Plant’s Refrigerator divison.
     
    Samsung has been dedicated to empowering its workers since the Chennai plant came into existence in 2007. With a focus on constant upskilling, Tamil Selvan steadily progressed from working on the line to being a Technical Operator.
     
    “The recognition and trust I’ve received here have been incredible,” he adds. “It’s not just about doing a job—it’s about being heard, being valued, getting rewarded, and knowing you’re making a difference,” said Selvan.
     
    A Commitment to Growth and Diversity
    Praveen Singh, another long-standing worker at the Chennai plant, echoes Tamil’s sentiments, though his journey is shaped by a different set of challenges and aspirations. Born and raised in Tamil Nadu but with roots in North India, Praveen has always been motivated by the diversity of the workforce at Samsung.
     
    Praveen Singh: “This feeling of being proud comes from the fact that I represent a brand that cares for me.”
     
    “The fact that people from all over India work together here is something that fills me with pride,” said Praveen, who joined the plant in 2013 as a trainee.
     
    “I’ve learned so much from my colleagues, not just about technology but about different cultures and perspectives. That’s something I don’t think I would have experienced anywhere else.”
     
    For Praveen, who started as a trainee and is now an operator in the process innovation team, the opportunities to learn and grow have been crucial to his success.
     
    “Samsung always encouraged me to learn. Over the years, I picked up Tamil, improved my English, and developed leadership skills that allowed me to move up the ranks,” he shared.
     
    “Samsung doesn’t just invest in its products—they invest in us, their workers. I feel immensely proud when I leave home for work wearing my uniform. This feeling comes from the fact that I represent a brand that cares for me.”
     
    Care, Health & Wellness as part of a People-first Culture
    All workers at the plant have health insurance facilities for upto five family members. From day one of apprenticeship, the plant offers continuous training, mentorship, and development programs designed to help employees grow professionally. The comprehensive health care, flexible work arrangements, and the focus on work-life balance are all part of Samsung’s commitment to creating a people-first culture.
     
    When Praveen’s mother needed knee surgery, the company’s comprehensive health policy ensured she received the best care available.
     
    “Samsung not only supported me in getting her the best doctors, but they also regularly checked in on her recovery. It’s more than a workplace—it’s a family,” he shared.
     
    Samsung’s broader ethos of prioritizing worker well-being and personal development have continuously supported the employees.
     
    Wall art designed by a worker at Chennai Plant
     
    “At Samsung, it’s not just about what we do but how we feel doing it,” Praveen explained. “The environment is supportive, and everyone is treated with respect, regardless of their position. That’s something you don’t find everywhere.”
     
    Tamil agrees, noting how much his job at Samsung has changed his standing in society. “Being a part of Samsung has earned me respect, not only in my professional life but in my community,” he said.
     
    “I’m proud of the work I do here. It’s not just a job—it’s a part of who I am.”
     
    Samsung’s Chennai Plant at Sriperumbudur
     
    A Future Built on Shared Success
    As Samsung continues to push boundaries in technology, the true foundation of its success lies in the success stories of employees. Their journeys are testaments to the company’s commitment to creating an inclusive, supportive, and growth-driven workplace where employees are empowered to achieve their best—both at work and in their personal lives.
     
    By investing in its workers, Samsung has created a workplace that doesn’t just manufacture world-class product but also builds futures, strengthens communities, and fosters loyalty.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: AppFolio to Unveil Powerful New Real Estate Industry Insights and Innovations at 2024 FUTURE Conference

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN DIEGO, Sept. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AppFolio (NASDAQ: APPF), the technology leader powering the future of the real estate industry, today announced the speaker line-up for FUTURE: The Real Estate Conference by AppFolio. The event will convene real estate professionals, speakers, technologists, and industry leaders for three days of innovation from October 28-30, 2024 in San Diego, CA.

    New York Times #1 Best-Selling Author Daniel Pink and Three-Time Olympic Gold Medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings will deliver inspiring keynotes on the mainstage, which will also include talks from AppFolio CEO Shane Trigg, SVP of Product Kyle Triplett, and Industry Principal Stacy Holden. FUTURE will feature a musical performance from legendary R&B vocal group Boyz II Men at the Rady Shell.

    As the premier conference for real estate professionals, attendees will be able to explore more than 45 sessions led by over 60 industry speakers, including:

    • Stephanie Anderson, Senior Director of Communication and Social Media, Grace Hill
    • Dom Beveridge, Principal, 20for20
    • Mike Brewer, Co-Founder, Multifamily Media Network
    • Jordan Brooks, Senior Market Analyst, ALN Apartment Data
    • Daniel Craig, Chief Strategy Officer, ProfitCoach
    • Kristi Fickert, Vice President of Enterprise Growth, Realync
    • Sharon Wilson Géno, President, National Multifamily Housing Council
    • Ray Hespen, CEO and Co-Founder, Property Meld
    • Moses Kagan, Co-Founder and Partner, Adaptive Realty; Founder, Re-convene
    • Robert Pinnegar, President and CEO, National Apartment Association
    • Taimur Rashid, Managing Director, Generative AI Innovation & Delivery, Amazon Web Services

    At this year’s conference, attendees will experience:

    • Innovation that will transform the results of their business: Come away with a deeper perspective on the evolving landscape and the strategies that will define the future, including AI, affordable housing, transformation of the resident experience, and more.
    • New solutions and partners to elevate business: Discover the latest proptech solutions and platform innovations through demos from product experts and the growing network of AppFolio Stack™ partners.
    • Connections with the industry’s best and brightest: Foster relationships with other real estate professionals, speakers, technologists, and industry leaders through curated networking events.
    • Hands-on training opportunities: Master AppFolio workflows to reach goals through pre-event training and certification sessions; available to current AppFolio customers for an additional fee.

    “For more than a decade, our conference has sparked insights and connections AppFolio customers can use to more effectively operate and grow their businesses. This year, we’re elevating the experience by expanding into a premier real estate industry event,” said Lisa Horner, Senior Vice President of Marketing at AppFolio. “We’re thrilled to invite the real estate community to join us at FUTURE 2024, which will converge thought leadership, pioneering vision, and technology innovation to champion the future of real estate.”

    FUTURE 2024 Sponsors:

    • Platinum Sponsors: AvidXchange, Balanced Asset Solutions, REA.co
    • Gold Sponsors: Amazon Hub Apartment Locker, Banyan, Eng Flanders Group, Hunter Warfield, Pay Ready, Possession Partner, Proper AI, Property Meld, RentCheck, SafeRent, ShowMojo, Tenant Turner, zInspector
    • Silver Sponsors: Aldous & Associates, APM Help, Birdeye, Breezeway, ButterflyMX, Engrain, HappyCo, Hott Solutions, The KSC Group, LeadSimple, Livable, Livly, Lula, NetVendor, OJO Bookkeeping, One11 Advisors, Opiniion, Page Per Page, PetScreening, Quext, RemoteLock, REdirect Consulting, Zego
    • Experience Sponsor: Best Egg

    The FUTURE conference will take place from October 28-30, 2024 at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina. To learn more or register, visit futureconference.com.

    About AppFolio
    AppFolio is the technology leader powering the future of the real estate industry. Our innovative platform and trusted partnership enable our customers to connect communities, increase operational efficiency, and grow their business. For more information about AppFolio, visit appfolio.com.

    For more information, please contact:
    Mission North for AppFolio
    appfolio@missionnorth.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8b9cdce4-672e-4497-a427-b42b582cc5ae

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Companjon to enable global car rental company Carwiz to offer its customers the opportunity to cancel their reservations for any reason and receive compensation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • The partnership agreement was signed today by representatives from both parties during Carwiz’s third annual company conference in Zagreb, Croatia
    • The Cancel For Any Reason protection is a first in the global car rental industry and will initially be available for reservations made within the EEA
    • Carwiz customers can receive up to 80% of the value of their booking if they need to cancel – no questions asked, no documentation required
    • Companjon will serve as technology provider, underwriter, and risk carrier

    DUBLIN, Sept. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Leading insurtech Companjon today signed a partnership agreement with Carwiz International, one of the fastest growing car rental franchise companies worldwide, to offer Carwiz customers the ability to cancel their reservations for any reason and recover most of the booking cost. The offering, initially available to customers booking within the EEA, is an industry-first and is a key part of Carwiz’s ambition to deliver top-tier car rental services. Companjon will serve as the technology provider, underwriter, and risk carrier of the cancellation protection.

    Carwiz customers will be able to add-on Cancel For Any Reason at the time of booking for an additional fee that is optimized to the specific details of the car rental. The customer can then seamlessly cancel their booking up to 48 hours before the rental start time – no questions asked, no documentation required – and receive up to 80% of the booking cost. The payout is offered to the customer instantly upon confirmation of cancellation.

    Carwiz CEO, Krešimir Dobrilović, said “We are excited to sign this agreement today, in the presence of the larger Carwiz team, which demonstrates our commitment to providing our customers with an exceptional car rental experience. The ability to cancel for any reason, an industry first, creates a new level of flexibility and convenience for customers who are faced with unexpected situations and circumstances. We look forward to continuing our work with Companjon to launch this unique protection to any customer booking from within the EEA in the following weeks.”

    Companjon CEO, Matthias Naumann, said: “We are proud to be Carwiz’s trusted insurtech partner and enable them to raise the standard for customer experience in the car rental industry with our Cancel For Any Reason solution. We share in Carwiz’s ambition to go where no one has gone before and applaud their boldness to set themselves apart from their competition by being ‘right there when life happens’ for their customers. We look forward to launching the offering with them before year’s end and celebrating its success with the Carwiz team in due course.”

    Companjon, established in 2020, seeks to change the way people think about insurance. The company has implemented a variety of tailored, dynamic insurtech products with globally recognized brands in the travel, mobility, live events and entertainment, and fintech sectors. Its unparalleled end-to-end solution design leverages the latest technology, like machine learning and artificial intelligence, to delight its business partners’ customers through protection that enhances flexibility and convenience across 32 countries in Europe and North America.

    About Companjon 

    Companjon is a leading B2B2C insurtech start-up specializing in fully digital, AI-driven embedded insurance. Its modern, end-to-end insurance solutions enable companies to delight their customers and drive more business value from stronger brand loyalty and new ancillary revenue opportunities. Companjon designs, builds, and underwrites its dynamic solutions on a 100% cloud-based platform capable of issuing 32,000 policies per second, integrating API gateways easily, and leveraging the latest advanced technology. It has been recognized as one of the World’s Top Insurtech Companies 2024 by CNBC and one of the world’s most innovative insurtechs by FinTech Global for three consecutive years (2021-2023).

    Companjon seeks to change the way people think about insurance by creating seamless and positive experiences when things don’t go as planned: being right there when ‘life’ happens. The company is registered in Ireland and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

    http://www.companjon.com

    Media Contact:
    Kimberly Littlefield
    +353 (0)86 107 0416
    press@companjon.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Preparations for the Guild Lounge underway

    Source: City of Preston

    It’ll be alright on the night – Work is full speed ahead at the Guild Lounge

    A team of tradesmen are hard at work behind the scenes to make sure the Guild Lounge venue at the Guild Hall is glitterball ready, ahead of its official opening launch in October.

    The Guild Lounge, formerly the Guild Hall Foyer, will open to the public on Thursday 3 October with its first show in an extensive Winter programme of events – Disco Inferno – an all singing, all dancing celebration of the best of 70’s disco!

    Watch the promotional video and buy tickets for this high energy, Studio 54 revival.

    Councillor Anna Hindle Cabinet Member for Arts and Culture at Preston City Council said:

    “It’s full steam ahead behind the scenes as we prepare for opening night. There is a lot to do from new lighting, new heating, re-upholstering chairs, installing a new sound system, upgrading the lighting rigs, painting, woodwork, creating a new stage, new signage, branding, the list goes on, but the professional team are 100% dedicated and on schedule.

    “This marks a new start for the Guild Hall, with a wide variety of shows and entertainment, there’s something here for everyone. Ticket sales are going well and we’re looking forward to sell out nights at the Guild Hall once again.”

    The Guild Lounge is set to breathe fresh life into Preston’s entertainment scene, offering a carefully curated programme that spans a diverse range of performances. From chart-topping tribute acts and live music to theatre productions and community showcases, The Guild Lounge will host events designed to appeal to all audiences.

    As part of the venue’s transformation, a 350-seat studio theatre has been developed to provide an intimate, dynamic setting for performances. A significant step in establishing Preston as a go-to destination for quality live events, helping to re-engage audiences and bring vibrancy back to the city’s nightlife.

    This redevelopment plays a crucial role in the city’s efforts to revitalise its entertainment landscape, ensuring the venue remains a cornerstone of Preston’s cultural scene.

    More shows continue to be added to the Winter programme, and a full list of currently available shows, how to buy tickets and to sign up to a free Guild Lounge newsletter with event news and updates:

    Visit the Guild Hall website for a full list of available shows

    Additional Information

    Preston City Council actively applies and prioritises the principles of Community Wealth Building wherever applicable and appropriate. Community Wealth Building is an approach which aims to ensure the economic system builds wealth and prosperity for everyone.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: EFI Expands Relationship with Global Strategic Partner DPI

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDONDERRY, N.H., Sept. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Electronics For Imaging, Inc. today reported its subsidiary, EFI Cretaprint S.L.U., has licensed its Building Materials digital printing business to its current global strategic partner, DPI, an innovative technology company with a network of dealers that specializes in research, development, production, sales, and service for high-speed industrial digital printing solutions.

    “This strategic partnership strengthens DPI’s role as the exclusive provider of service and support for EFI’s ceramic digital printers and spare parts, leveraging EFI’s renowned know-how, trademarks, and uncompromising quality standards,” said Scott Schinlever, Chief Operating Officer for EFI’s global inkjet business. “DPI’s expanded role in delivering support to our global customer base reflects the trust and expertise they’ve demonstrated over the years. As part of this agreement, DPI will manage both current and future product and service needs, ensuring that customers continue to receive the high-quality support they have come to expect from EFI.”

    With this agreement, DPI’s global network of dealers and services technicians will take on an expanded service footprint, further enhancing its capacity to meet the evolving needs of customers around the world. “This latest stage in our relationship with EFI allows us to bring comprehensive coverage for customers using these cutting-edge technologies,” said Eddie Cheng, General Manager of DPI. “We’re excited to continue building on our partnership and look forward to showcasing these products and our expanded role at the upcoming TECHNA Expo.” DPI will be exhibiting in Hall 4, Booth 104 at the TECHNA Expo, taking place 24 to 27 September in Rimini, Italy.

    To learn more about EFI’s portfolio of innovative digital inkjet products and support services, visit http://www.EFI.com.

    About EFI
    EFI™ is a global technology company, leading the worldwide transformation from analog to digital imaging. We understand our customers want breakthrough technologies to lead them through their digital journey. That’s why we’re passionate about driving their business growth with a scalable portfolio of products, solutions, services, support, and world-class partnerships for the manufacturing of signage, packaging, textiles, ceramic tiles, building materials, commercial print, and personalized documents with a wide range of printers, inks, digital front ends, and workflow software. They work together to increase profits, cut costs, improve productivity, and optimize efficiency – job after job, year after year. We are devoted to our customers. And we definitely believe we have the right people, technology and experience to help them achieve their business goals. (http://www.efi.com)

    Follow EFI online:

    Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/EFIPrint
    Find us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EFIPrint
    View us on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/EFIDigitalPrintTech

    NOTE TO EDITORS: The EFI logo is a registered trademark of Electronics For Imaging, Inc. in the U.S. and/or certain other countries. EFI is a trademark of Electronics For Imaging, Inc. in the U.S. and/or certain other countries.

    Nothing herein should be construed as a warranty in addition to the express warranty statements provided with EFI products and services.

    Contact:
    Holly O’Rourke, EFI
    News3@efi.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: ​Universal Music launches label division in China’s GBA

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Universal Music Greater China, a division of Universal Music Group, announced on Sept. 24 the launch of Universal Music China Greater Bay Area, a new label division covering the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in China.

    Night view of Luohu district in Shenzhen, south China’s Guangdong province. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is one of China’s most open and economically vibrant regions. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The new division, headquartered in Shenzhen, marks the first time a major international music company has established an office specifically focused on serving the Greater Bay Area, home to over 86 million people and one of the world’s most populous urban areas.

    Gary Chan, managing director of Universal Music Hong Kong and senior vice president of Universal Music Greater China, will lead the new division, aiming to enrich the area’s music scene. By embracing its economic and cultural vibrancy, this initiative aims to elevate both the local and global appeal of the region’s diverse musical heritage.

    “The launch of Universal Music China Greater Bay Area represents a strategic expansion, leveraging the vast market potential and unique cultural atmosphere of the Greater Bay Area,” said Timothy Xu, chairman and CEO of Universal Music Greater China. “We eagerly anticipate welcoming the outstanding talents from this region to join us in driving forward the next era of Chinese pop music. In this pursuit, we are setting our sights on transforming the Greater Bay Area into a trendsetting hub that epitomizes creativity, vitality, and connectivity, crafting fresh musical expressions and innovative entertainment experiences.”

    The Greater Bay Area, which includes nine cities in Guangdong province and the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao, is a significant economic and cultural hub. It contributed 11.1% to China’s GDP in 2023 and generates nearly a quarter of the country’s music performance revenue. The region’s rich Cantonese cultural heritage has profoundly shaped local and Asian pop culture, resonating with audiences worldwide.

    The announcement stated that the new label would assemble a “robust” local team to handle marketing, talent scouting and artist management in the area. Its mission is to transform the local music scene “by blending global musical trends with the Greater Bay Area’s vibrant and youthful energy.” The company noted that this approach leverages the region’s musical heritage and entertainment industry, aiming to create unique “experiences that captivate audiences worldwide.”

    Adam Granite, executive vice president of Market Development at Universal Music Group, said: “Our commitment to the Greater Bay Area is part of Universal Music Group’s global strategy to invest in local and regional music scenes, particularly in rapidly growing markets like China. By deepening our roots in local cultures and enhancing support for local artists, we aim to elevate the Chinese music landscape and introduce its unique sounds on the world stage.”

    Regarding China as a key music market, Universal Music Greater China has already established offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Taiwan to support growth across the region.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Shanghai to issue consumption vouchers

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Shanghai will allocate 500 million yuan (about 71.14 million U.S. dollars) from its municipal budget to issue consumption vouchers for the dining, accommodation, cinema and sports sectors, the Shanghai municipal government’s information office said on Wednesday.

    Funds for the vouchers will be distributed based on each sector’s consumption share and demand: 360 million yuan will go to the dining sector, 90 million yuan to accommodation, 30 million yuan to cinema, and 20 million yuan to sports. The first round of vouchers will be available from Sept. 28.

    Dining and accommodation vouchers have been divided into four tiers based on spending levels, with adjustments to be made according to redemption data during implementation.

    Dining vouchers have four discount levels: a 50 yuan discount on spending of 300 yuan, 100 yuan on spending of 500 yuan, 200 yuan on spending of 800 yuan, and 300 yuan on spending of 1,000 yuan. Accommodation vouchers provide discounts of 50 yuan on spending of 300 yuan, 130 yuan on spending of 600 yuan, 220 yuan on spending of 900 yuan, and 300 yuan on spending of 1,200 yuan.

    Cinema vouchers offer 20 yuan or 30 yuan discounts per movie ticket, while sports vouchers come in six tiers, ranging from 5 yuan off 10 yuan to 80 yuan off 200 yuan, with additional vouchers available for specific activities such as swimming, badminton and winter sports.

    The vouchers will be distributed in two phases. The first phase will run from late September to late October, with additional dining and cinema vouchers set for release during the National Day holiday to boost consumption. The second phase will run from November to December, focusing on increasing the distribution of accommodation and sports vouchers to stimulate off-season spending.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: WEBTOON SHAREHOLDER ALERT: CLAIMSFILER REMINDS INVESTORS WITH LOSSES IN EXCESS OF $100,000 of Lead Plaintiff Deadline in Class Action Lawsuit Against WEBTOON Entertainment Inc. – WBTN

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until November 4, 2024 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against WEBTOON Entertainment Inc. (“Webtoon” or the “Company”) (NasdaqGS: WBTN), if they purchased the Company’s shares pursuant and/or traceable to the Company’s registration statement issued in connection with its June 2024 initial public offering (“IPO”). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.

    Get Help

    Webtoon investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nasdaq-wbtn/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.

    About the Lawsuit

    Webtoon and certain of its executives and others are charged with failing to disclose material information in its IPO Registration Statement and Prospectus (collectively, the “Offering Documents”), violating federal securities laws.

    On August 8, 2024, the Company announced its financial results for 2Q 2024, disclosing total revenue growth of only 0.1% and that advertising revenue had declined 3.6%, that IP adaptations revenue had declined 3.7%, and that its quarterly net loss was $76.6 million. Further, the Company also disclosed a quarterly net loss of $76.6 million, and that its revenue and revenue growth had been “offset by the Company’s significant exposure to weaker foreign currencies.”

    On this news, shares of Webtoon fell by more than 38%, and by the commencement of the lawsuit, the Company’s stock has traded as low as $12.45 per share, a more than 40% decline from the $21.00 per share IPO price.

    The case is Brookman v. WEBTOON Entertainment Inc., et al., No. 24-cv-07553.

    About ClaimsFiler

    ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations.

    To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit http://www.claimsfiler.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Grab a bargain as Revive open third Leeds reuse shop in Hunslet

    Source: City of Leeds

    New store offering recycled goods opens

    PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY REVIVE LEEDS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LEEDS CITY COUNCIL 

    Almost 14 years after establishing its first shop reuse in Seacroft, Revive had its grand opening this week of its newest retail outlet in Hunslet.

    The Hunslet store provides everything from quality furniture and electrical items to clothes, music and books, at a fraction of the price of something new, to help local people pass on their pre-loved things.

    Revive’s five retail outlets across West Yorkshire are run by a team of 67 staff, with over 30 volunteers with people on work-based training providing practical retail and warehousing experience to give them a step-up into paid employment.

    Revive carries out electrical testing on all donated items and money from the sales go back into their two member Charities, SLATE’s The Feel Good Furniture Stores who provide work opportunities for people with learning disabilities and The St Vincent de Paul Society (England & Wales) who are working to alleviate poverty in Leeds.

    Residents can either buy or drop-off donations at the Hunslet store which is open 10am to 5:30pm, seven days a week.

    Revive work in partnership with Leeds City Council to help collect reusable donations deposited at household waste recycling centres. These items including furniture, bric-a-brac and clothing are sold at low prices at their reuse shops including sites at Kirkstall and Seacroft.

    Leeds City Council executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, Councillor Mohammed Rafique said:

    “It’s great to see a third Revive shop being opened in Leeds that helps to build on our successful partnership together. It can only be a good thing that more and more of the fantastic reuseable items we receive at council recycling centres can find a new home whilst benefitting our local communities and the environment.”

    Louise Megson, Director at Revive, said:

    “Revive are proud to yet again open another retail outlet which not only aids in our objective to convert as much, designated waste, into reuse but also brings employment to the local communities where we are based.  Last year we saved 1,650 tonnes from the waste stream providing local people with affordable and quality goods.”

    Editor’s notes

    The Hunslet shop has just under 3,000 square feet of floor space and is open seven days a week with accessible parking for two cars at the front of the store.

    Common items for sale include:

    • House and garden furniture
    • Clothing and footwear
    • kitchen items like cutlery and crockery
    • books, DVDs, CDs, records, board games and toys
    • electrical items like lamps and food mixers

    Last year, Revive helped reuse 1,150 bicycles and sold 40,968 books.

    Find out more about Revive at www.revivereuse.org.uk

    Revive Reuse Community Interest Company was established in November 2010 as a partnership between local organisations which continues today with St Vincent de Paul and SLATE.  Any year-end financial surplus is divided between their member charities to assist in continuing to provide quality services to their own specific client groups. 

    In a joint venture with Leeds City Council, Revive Leeds set up its first re-use shop in August 2011 on the Seacroft household waste and recycling centre designed to catch and divert waste back into valuable reuse. To date, Revive have expanded and now has five stores across Leeds and Kirklees including in Seacroft, Kirkstall, Hunslet, Huddersfield and Batley.

    ENDS

    For media enquiries please email louise.megson@revivereuse.org.uk

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Federal Court Orders Texas Man and Six Companies to Pay Over $9.5 Million in Fraudulent Scheme Involving Futures, Options, and Foreign Currency

    Source: US Commodity Futures Trading Commission

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Commodity Futures Trading Commission today announced Judge Samuel A. Lindsay of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas entered multiple orders and a judgment against Rudy Avila; L.I.F.T. Group LLC (LIFT), Trading Ventures Group (TVG), Capital Ventures Group, LLC, (CVG), and Ventures Group, LLC (  VGL), all U.S. companies; and CIG Internacional Sociedad Anónima (CIG) and Trading Technologies Group Sociedad Anónima (TTG), both Costa Rican companies, requiring monetary relief totaling over $10.5 million The orders and judgment resolve the CFTC’s enforcement action against these defendants filed Sept.14, 2021. [See CFTC Press Release 8424-21]

    Judge Lindsay entered a memorandum and order on Aug. 1, 2024, a clarification order on Aug. 7, 2024, and a judgment on Aug. 8, 2024, granting the CFTC’s motions for default and finding the defendants had engaged in commodity futures, options on commodities futures, and forex fraud.  Judge Lindsay also found CIG and TVG, while acting as unregistered commodity trading advisors (CTAs), engaged in CTA fraud. In granting permanent injunctive relief, the court found the defendants “repeatedly and deliberately” engaged “two separate but related multi-year Ponzi schemes,” thereby violating “core provisions of the act [Commodity Exchange Act].” Judge Lindsay noted Avila’s actions demonstrated a “high level of scienter and egregious fraud.”

    The orders and judgment require Avila, LIFT, CIG, and TTG to pay, jointly and severally, $3,626,751.90 in restitution to defrauded clients in the first fraudulent scheme. The order also requires Avila, TVG, CVG, and VGL to pay, jointly and severally, $1,814,720.41 in restitution to defrauded clients in the second scheme. Further, the orders and judgment require Avila to pay a $1,525,831.05 civil monetary penalty (CMP); LIFT, TTG, TVG, CVG, and VGL each to pay a $429,028 CMP; and CIG and TVG each to pay a $858,056 CMP. 

    Parallel Criminal Action

    On June 3, 2021, Avila pled guilty to one count of wire fraud based, in part, on the same conduct alleged in the CFTC’s complaint.  [United States v. Avila, Docket No. 3:21-cr-00168-M-1 (N.D. Tx 2021).]  Avila was sentenced to 210 months in prison and an additional three years of supervised release.

    The CFTC thanks the Office of the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas and the FBI Dallas/Fort Worth Office. The CFTC acknowledges the assistance of the Superintendencia General de Valores de Costa Rica (SUGEVAL), the UK Financial Conduct Authority and the Financial Services Regulation and Supervision Department of Nevis.

    The Division of Enforcement staff responsible for this case are Xavier Romeu-Matta, Michael Cazakoff, Judith M. Slowly, Mary Lutz, Gates S. Hurand, Lenel Hickson, Jr., and Manal M. Sultan, and former staff member Steven I. Ringer.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: GUU takes part in events dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the founding of the PRC and the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and China

    MIL OSI Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    From September 19 to 20, the International Scientific and Practical Conference “On the Road of Struggle and Achievements: for the 75th Anniversary of the Formation of the PRC and the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Russia and China” was held in St. Petersburg.

    Director of the Center for Socio-Economic and Political Research of China at the National University of Management Fanis Sharipov made a presentation at the plenary session on the program “International Manufacturing Business”. This is a dual degree program of the National University of Management and Ningbo University (PRC), which is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year.

    The next day, Fanis Sharipov became the moderator of the section “International Relations and Foreign Policy of the PRC in a Changing World”, and also gave a report “The Space Silk Road”.

    The conference was organized by the Regional Office of the Interregional Public Organization “Russian-Chinese Friendship Society” in St. Petersburg and the St. Petersburg State University of Economics with the support of the A.M. Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund.

    On September 27, the Director of the Center for Socio-Economic and Political Research of China at the State University of Management will attend a gala reception at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and China.

    And on September 30, 2024, a Gala Evening dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China, the 75th anniversary of Russian-Chinese diplomatic relations and the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Chinese-Russian Friendship Society will be held in the Rossiya Cinema building.

    The Chairman of the Russian-Chinese Friendship Society, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation I.I. Melnikov and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Russian Federation Zhang Hanhui will speak at the ceremonial meeting. After the speeches, the guests will enjoy a concert by the N.V. Osipov Folk Instruments Orchestra, soloists of the A.V. Alexandrov Song and Dance Ensemble, as well as musicians from the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing.

    Organizers of the event: Russian-Chinese Friendship Society, Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, Institute of China and Modern Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Union of Chinese Entrepreneurs in Russia.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 09/25/2024

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    GUU takes part in events dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the founding of the PRC and the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and China

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New images offer glimpse into the future for Derby Market Hall

    Source: City of Derby

    New images provide a first look at how the inside of the refurbished Derby Market Hall will look once complete.

    The historic venue is being given a new lease of life to transform this heritage asset into an attractive retail and leisure destination fit for the future. The new images giving a glimpse of the retail space, make and trade units and new dining area.

    In all, the transformed market will offer:

    • A carefully curated mix of traditional and themed stalls, including quality fresh produce
    • Make and trade stalls and creative spaces
    • A cosmopolitan food court and bars
    • Events and pop-up activity

    Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council, said:

    “The transformation of Derby Market Hall is a reflection of our collective ambition to create a city that everyone can take pride in, and while people can see the improvements we’ve made externally, many people may still be wondering what the building will look like inside.

    “These new images will give the public the first idea of what the venue will look like as we make this irreplaceable heritage building fit for the future.

    “This project is not just about transforming the Market Hall; it’s about bringing the people of Derby together to create a space we can all be proud of.  We invite traders, entrepreneurs and businesses from across the region to join the vibrant community we are building.” 

    The £35.1m project is partly funded with £9.43m from the Governments Future High Streets Fund (FHSF). The second phase of the transformation is well underway, focusing on refurbishing the interior and developing the public space outside at Osnabruck Square.

    Located at the heart of the city centre, linking Derbion and St Peter’s Quarter with the Cathedral Quarter and Becketwell, the new Market Hall will play a key role in widening the diversity of the city centre and generate £3.64m for the local economy every year.

    Businesses throughout the region are invited to register their interest in operating from the refurbished Market Hall, which will bring together the best of the region’s independent shopping, eating, drinking and entertainment when it reopens in Spring 2025.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NFL and FEMA Launch National Strategy to Build Resilience in Communities, Designate Venues as Mission Ready Locations During Disasters

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: NFL and FEMA Launch National Strategy to Build Resilience in Communities, Designate Venues as Mission Ready Locations During Disasters

    NFL and FEMA Launch National Strategy to Build Resilience in Communities, Designate Venues as Mission Ready Locations During Disasters

    WASHINGTON — Stadiums and venues provide a central and accessible location to help communities respond to extreme weather crises, providing safe storage and shelter in times of need. With these events becoming more frequent, severe and expensive, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and NFL Chief Security Officer Cathy Lanier today announced that FEMA and the NFL are launching a new strategy to build resilience in communities through a program that will designate NFL stadiums and fields as mission capable venues that can be used during response and recovery missions. Through Mission Ready Venues, a public-private partnership, NFL stadiums are recognized for their capabilities to better sustain public safety and be a source of support for the communities they serve. The designation identifies the ways the stadium or venue could be used for response and recovery activities during declared emergencies or disasters. 

    “During large-scale emergencies, like the COVID-19 pandemic, hurricanes, or tornados, we’ve seen how large music, sports and entertainment venues can serve as a safe space for communities,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “This new strategy we’re launching with the NFL is a groundbreaking opportunity to help our partners use these venues for emergency response and recovery needs, while keeping communities safe and making them more resilient. While we are starting with the NFL, all venues across sports organizations and leagues can become assets to their communities, and I encourage them to join in this collaborative effort as we grapple with the impacts of the climate crisis.”

    “Stadiums are valuable community assets that are often used in times of disasters,” said NFL Chief Security Officer Cathy Lanier. “This designation reflects the role that many stadiums play, not only on Sundays, but especially in times of need. We are proud to work with FEMA and first responders at the local and state level to ensure disaster response agencies have the information and tools they need to help a community recover when disaster strikes.”

    According to the NYU School of Professional Studies and the U.S. Conference of Mayors, stadiums and arenas can improve the public health and well-being of their communities—including pandemic response during COVID-19. The initial stadiums to receive designations include MetLife, home of the Jets and the Giants in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Lumen Field, home of the Seahawks in Seattle, Washington, Acrisure Stadium, home of the Steelers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Raymond James Stadium, home of the Buccaneers in Tampa, Florida. SoFi Stadium, home of the Rams and the Chargers in Los Angeles, California is under review. 

    Given the size, capabilities and locations of large sports venues, these existing community assets can serve the public in a variety of ways including emergency shelters, staging areas, commodity distribution sites, evacuation pick up points, disaster recovery centers, mass vaccination and testing, temporary hospitals and more. FEMA and the NFL recognized this unique opportunity for collaboration and are enlisting the support of venue owners, operators and the tenants of these facilities to work with government officials in the planning and preparation for emergency or disaster response and recovery efforts. To receive an official Mission Ready Venue designation, venues must undergo a comprehensive assessment to determine what capabilities the venue may be able to support in emergency and disaster response and recovery efforts. The designation highlights the following attributes of selected venues:

    • Provide Safety and Security: Stadiums are usually centrally located, close to major roadways and transportation hubs and critical services like hospitals. If used to respond to a disaster, the designation will save valuable time and resources and will further enhance coordination between the public and private sectors during disaster response and recovery.
    • Provide Accessibility: Stadiums are also compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act and can support persons with disabilities and others with access or functional needs. Additionally, 73% of NFL venues are accessible by mass transportation. This provides an avenue to promote equitable service to underserved populations to access potentially critical lifesaving/life-sustaining services after an event.  
    • Strengthen Community Resilience: Stadiums and arenas are a focal point of communities and help strengthen social networks by enhancing connections between residents with home team pride. These Mission Ready Venues can boost morale amidst disaster. By providing a more robust and resilient environment, these venues can enhance social networks amongst survivors while providing ample opportunities to establish connections with the venue’s main tenants.
    • Ensure Unity of Effort: Coordination of stadium resources and services can support survivors and responders and help stabilize an incident quickly. Since stadiums are fixed locations, resources and services can be deployed quickly. This promotes the community’s physical and economic recovery.

    Mission Ready Venue designations are for five-year increments with a yearly check-in to ensure continued readiness of the venue. Redesignation will be necessary every five years and designation does not supersede any agreements with state, local or private sector entities. 

    amy.ashbridge

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Verizon is ready to keep customers connected ahead of Hurricane Helene

    Source: Verizon

    Headline: Verizon is ready to keep customers connected ahead of Hurricane Helene

    ALPHARETTA, GA – As potential Hurricane Helene approaches the Florida coast, Verizon remains committed to keeping communities and first responders connected. Verizon’s Response Team has prepared year-round to respond to extreme weather situations, like hurricanes, by taking part in emergency drills, fortifying the network infrastructure, and ensuring resources are mobilized for rapid response.

    “Verizon is committed to keeping communities connected. From consumers, to businesses, to first responders, Verizon offers the dependable service they need to face Hurricane Helene and the days to come,” said Atlantic South Market President, Leigh Anne Lanier. “Our dedicated team is working around the clock to ensure our customers stay informed, stay in touch with loved ones, and access critical services when they need them most.”

    Verizon’s networks are primed

    Verizon’s networks are primed to maintain connectivity even in the face of extreme weather conditions, such as hurricanes. With redundancy built into critical paths and components, Verizon’s network is engineered to withstand severe weather. Verizon engineers have prepared by conducting thorough checks, as well as ensuring backup systems, like batteries and generators, are operational and refueled.

    In preparation for potential network recovery operations, Verizon has bolstered its arsenal with:

    • A fleet of over 550 portable network assets, including generator-powered cell sites, drones, and a fixed-wing aircraft for aerial support.
    • An industry-leading nearly 300 satellite-based portable network assets, providing crucial connectivity in scenarios where fiber connections are compromised.
    • More than 1,000 mobile generators to assist communities in maintaining or restoring connectivity, and rapid recovery efforts.

    Verizon Frontline stands at the ready, prepared to assist first responders in any capacity needed

    The Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team stands ready to help ensure that public safety agencies on the front line of any potential disaster have the mission-critical communications capabilities needed to achieve their missions. This team, composed primarily of former first responders and military personnel, is solely dedicated to supporting public safety customers during emergencies at no cost to the supported agencies.

    In the first nine months of 2024, the Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team has responded to more than 1,000 requests for mission-critical communications support from more than 500 different agencies in 46 states.

    Being prepared is essential to support local businesses and communities

    Recognizing the critical role of connectivity in business continuity, Verizon Business provides a suite of solutions tailored for seamless operations during emergencies. Businesses and government organizations need the right game plan. Suggested actions include:

    • Mitigate customer disruption: Think about what you need to ensure continuous service to your customers, and what software and equipment your business needs to continue operations. Make a detailed list, including service contracts and warranty information, and all pertinent phone numbers for local authorities, utility companies, suppliers, and vendors.
    • The right tech makes an impact: Ensure you have the right technology to support your business connectivity needs assuming you might need to move away from your primary location.
    • Contacts and documents are key: Make sure you have contact information updated and readily available for all employees, including at-home information for remote workers and branch information for satellite offices.
    • Test, test, and test again: Stress-test primary and backup networks and shore up any weak areas.
    • Keep track of equipment: Ensure employees working from home have documented all corporate equipment being used to work from home in case of damage or loss.
    • Have a backup plan: Ensure backup plans are in place to shift work in case work-from-home employees in a storm-impacted area have to evacuate their homes or their home loses commercial power.

    Are you hurricane ready?

    Verizon’s team works year-round to ensure customers remain connected to their loved ones and the activities that provide comfort during a disaster. As residents prepare to stay connected and entertained, consider these tips:

    • Stock Up on power supplies like batteries for flashlights and radios or device chargers. Take it a step further by charging your devices that can act as chargers for other devices like laptops and party box speakers. Don’t forget to ensure you have the cables!
    • Download Movies, Books, Apps and Games or gather board games, card games and puzzles to go device-free.
    • Locate materials for hobbies like knitting or drawing, and get creative.
    • Plan activities like cooking easy-to-make meals and even no-bake treats. Keep a few non-perishable ingredients, a manual can opener and other kitchen tools on hand.
    • Grab some candles, blankets, pillows or anything that makes your space cozy.
    • Read up on the American Red Cross’ hurricane preparedness tips.

    **Editor’s Note: To access images and b-roll of past storms, Verizon equipment, recovery efforts and more, please visit Verizon’s Emergency Resource Hub at https://www.verizon.com/about/news/emergency-resource-center

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Brings Innovative Tech with the Opening of a New Store at Cresta Mall

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung Electronics South Africa is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its new brand store at Cresta Mall in Johannesburg on Thursday, 12 September 2024. This new store will offer an immersive shopping experience for local shoppers, showcasing the latest in Samsung’s cutting-edge technology and innovation.
     

     
    The new store will feature a comprehensive range of Samsung products, including the newest smartphones, tablets, wearables, home appliances, aircons, TVs and monitors. With a modern and engaging design, the store aims to provide customers with an interactive and hands-on experience with Samsung’s advanced technology.
     
    The new store is set to bring the full customer journey with the extensive range of Samsung product offerings. From audio-visual, cooking, and cleaning to other home appliances, customers will be able to get their hands on all the new technology the company has to offer. The recently launched Bespoke AI home appliances including fridges, washing machines, dishwashers, and microwave ovens will be available to help customers do less and live more as they elevate the way they stay entertained and do ordinary household chores, among other
     

     
    Home entertainment will transform to bring consumers the ultimate viewing experience thanks to an array of ground-breaking AI televisions such as the Neo QLED 8K, OLED, The Serif, and The Frame, as well as gaming monitors like the highly impressive Odyssey.
     
    Customers looking to upgrade their mobile experience will have to look no further as the store will bring the latest smartphones from the accessible Galaxy A series to the AI-powered flagships, the Galaxy S24 series and Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6 foldables. As the best that Galaxy has to offer, these devices take productivity, creativity, and entertainment to a whole new level with their most advanced AI features.
     

     
    With Spring ushering in the warm and hot temperatures, customers need not worry as they can visit the store to get their hands on the new WindFreeTM air-conditioner range to make their homes cool and comfortable.
     
    The store’s operating hours are 09h00 – 19h00 Monday to Saturday, and 09h00 – 17h00 on Sundays and public holidays. With its friendly and highly-trained staff always ready and willing to assist customers with their insights on the latest Samsung innovations and great deals, the new Samsung store at Cresta Mall is expected to be a hive of activity.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Gangs’stories: Danny’s tales of machismo in Glasgow

    Source: The Conversation – France – By Alistair Fraser, Professor of Criminology, University of Glasgow

    Glasgow – 1973, Queen Street Rail Station. Helmutt Zozmann, CC BY-NC-ND

    For the past five years, the GANGS project, a European Research Council-funded project led by Dennis Rodgers, has been studying global gang dynamics in a comparative perspective. When understood in a nuanced manner that goes beyond the usual stereotypes and Manichean representations, gangs and gangsters arguably constitute fundamental lenses through which to think about and understand the world we live in.

    _Alistair Fraser and Angela Bartie present the story of Danny, who was a Glaswegian gang member in his youth. Drawing on interviews carried out when he was 18, 59, and 70 years old, they trace his changing self-reflection about his past experiences which mirror the broader transformation of the city from a violence urban space in the 1960s to a thriving “people’s city” in 2024.

    _

    As Danny left the room, that autumn of 2022, our eyes locked together in shock. For the last three hours, this spry seventy-year-old had held us rapt. Tanned, lean, and composed in his smart coat and cap, he was someone you’d have happily bought a used car from. But in the room he had been regaling us with tales of his teenage years running with the ‘Drummy’, a street gang notorious in Glasgow’s history. How had he got from there to here?

    Danny grew up in Easterhouse, a 1950s housing scheme on the periphery of the city that quickly attracted negative publicity. Tens of thousands were rehoused from crumbling tenements in the city centre. They were sold a bright new vision of progress but found themselves deserted on the edge of town, with only fields for company. Without shops, jobs, or facilities, young people made their own entertainment, forming themselves into gangs and fighting for kicks. Membership was decided simply by which street you happened to live on, a kind of natural selection where geography would land you on one side or the other. Unlike gangs in other cities, in Glasgow it was not about control of drug markets but a more primal law of the jungle, fighting for kicks and respect.

    The violence of the Easterhouse gangs was legendary. As Danny recalled:

    “It was just out and out tribal, that’s all it was, you know. And it was a day-to-day routine… some of the things you did were ludicrous. I mean, we used to run, we had football pitches, and you would run into the football pitches, maybe 50, 60 of yous, in pitch black. You would charge each other. Now, the British Army wouldn’t do that, in pitch black, run into it, not knowing what’s there. And you ran at each other, not knowing if the guy’s got a sword, a knife, a hatchet, anything.”

    The issue didn’t stay local for long. Warfare involving Easterhouse gangs attracted national media attention, drew concerned responses from politicians, and even garnered a celebrity visit from popular entertainer Frankie Vaughan who asked the gangs to put down their knives.

    Years before series such as the Peaky Blinders, the movie Small Faces (1996) would highlight gang violence in industrial towns such as Glasgow.

    The violence also attracted the attention of radical criminologists. Gail Wilson and Mary Wilson were part of a loose association of “Anarchists, CND, young Communists and international Socialists” (Cohen 1974: 27) who were trying to rewire academic approaches to youth culture. Rather than looking at the rule-breakers, these upstarts were looking at the rule makers and asking why some groups were criminalised more than others. Gail and Mary spent years working alongside gang youth in Easterhouse, studying their daily lives and comparing this with media narratives. They applied a theory called “social constructionism”, which tries to untangle stereotypes and reality.

    Meeting Danny

    We first met Gail and Mary back in 2010, after our studies of 1960s gangs had led us to their doorsteps. During our first meeting, Gail climbed a ladder to a storage hatch and retrieved a dusty box. Our eyes widened as we saw what lay inside. Notes, news clippings, sketches, essays and – incredibly – eighteen hand-written transcripts of interviews with members of the “Drummy” gang from 1969.

    We set about trying to trace these boys, who would now be in their fifties. We wondered how their lives had gone, where they’d ended up, and what lessons they would want to tell the current generation. We weren’t always successful. Some had died, others relocated. One got in touch to say he didn’t want to talk about that period in his life. Danny was one that said yes.

    Glasgow Gangs, 1968.

    Danny’s story, in a way, was the story of Glasgow. After his teenage gang years, Danny surfed Glasgow’s wave of industrialisation into a career in sales. He worked hard and moved out of the estate, initially to an area a few miles west of Easterhouse. His manager saw his potential, and Danny reflected that his street skills had prepared him for organisational roles and promotion.

    When we first spoke in 2011, he had been bullish in his talk of days gone by. His eyes glinted at the retelling of tales of violence, like a cowboy in a Western saloon. He revelled in one about his strict father taking him to the pub for his 18th birthday, where they had been challenged to a fight by a man and his dog. “Needless to say”, he told us with a grin, “we leathered them.”

    It sealed a bond between father and son. As he told us, “I kind of walked up the road as proud as punch, me and my dad”. We interpreted this as a link between past and present – the gang was a hand-me-down masculinity, like the legend of the Glasgow hardman swaggering through the pages of history.

    Ten years later, however, he told the story differently. As we sat squeezed around a table too big for the room, the air was thick with regret not bravado. His father had recently passed away, and this former hardman was suddenly vulnerable. As he recalled in 2022 of the altercation:

    “That’s the first time I probably ever bonded, truly, with my dad, if you know what I mean, in all the years… on my 18th birthday, I’ll never forget it.”

    The macho image started to fracture

    The macho image that we had of Danny, and of the Glasgow hardman, started to fracture. Ever since, we have been re-evaluating what we thought we knew about Danny’s life – and gang lives in general – and our own part in retelling his story. The oral historian Lynn Abrams says:

    “The story that a person tells is just one of many that are possible. The script is not deterministic. Its shape, form and content is determined by the need for the narrator to construct a memory story with which he or she can feel comfortable at that moment. And a comfortable telling is often one in which the story told coheres with larger cultural understandings.”

    Danny’s perspectives on his youthful gang experiences have altered not just in response to his own changing life circumstances, but also to how the culture of Glasgow has transformed in the fifty years since he was involved in the Drummy.

    Today, Glasgow is hailed as a city that has beaten the gangs, with talk of a Glasgow miracle of violence reduction.

    As he swaggered out the door, every inch the successful businessman, a stillness descended on the room. Danny was as far from the stereotype of a gang member as you could possibly imagine. He is your grandfather, your neighbour, your friend.

    Meeting Danny reminded us that stories matter, but like a city they can change – and paying attention to when and why these stories change can often reveal more than the stories themselves.

    Les auteurs ne travaillent pas, ne conseillent pas, ne possèdent pas de parts, ne reçoivent pas de fonds d’une organisation qui pourrait tirer profit de cet article, et n’ont déclaré aucune autre affiliation que leur organisme de recherche.

    – ref. Gangs’stories: Danny’s tales of machismo in Glasgow – https://theconversation.com/gangsstories-dannys-tales-of-machismo-in-glasgow-224876

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Boussard & Gavaudan Holding Ltd (EUR): Results of Annual General Meeting

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Boussard & Gavaudan Holding Limited (the “Company”)
    a closed-ended investment company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of Guernsey
    with registration number 45582

    Legal Entity Identifier: 5493002XNM3W9D6DF327

    Results of Annual General Meeting

    The Company hereby gives notification that at the annual general meeting of the Company held on Wednesday, 25 September, 2024 at 11.30 a.m., all resolutions set out in the notice of meeting were duly passed. The Board would like to thank the shareholders of the Company for their continued support.

    The details of all resolutions passed are as follows:

    ORDINARY BUSINESS – ORDINARY RESOLUTIONS

    1.        That the Company’s annual report and audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 be received. (2,093,048 votes cast, all in favour, none against and none withheld)

    2.        That Mr Erich Bonnet who, being eligible and having offered himself for re-election, be re-appointed as a director of the Company. (2,093,048 votes cast, all in favour, none against and none withheld)

    3.        That Ms Sylvie Sauton who, being eligible and having offered herself for re-election, be re-appointed as a director of the Company. (2,093,048 votes cast, all in favour, none against and none withheld)

    4.        That Mr Luke Allen who, being eligible and having offered himself for re-election, be re-appointed as a director of the Company. (2,093,048 votes cast, all in favour, none against and none withheld)

    5.        That Mr Frédéric Hervouet who, being eligible and having offered himself for re-election, be re-appointed as a director of the Company. (2,093,048 votes cast, all in favour, none against and none withheld)

    For further information, please contact:

    Boussard & Gavaudan Investment Management, LLP
    Emmanuel Gavaudan
    +44 20 3751 5389

    JTC Fund Solutions (Guernsey) Limited
    Secretary
    +44 (0) 1481 702400

    25 September, 2024
    Website: www.bgholdingltd.com

    The Company is established as a closed-ended investment company domiciled in Guernsey. The Company has been authorised by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission as an authorised closed-ended investment scheme. The Company is registered with the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets as a collective investment scheme pursuant to article 2:73 in conjunction with 2:66 of the Dutch Financial Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel toezicht). The shares of the Company (the “Shares”) are listed on Euronext Amsterdam. The Shares are also listed on the Official List of the UK Listing Authority and admitted to trading on the London Stock Exchange plc’s main market for listed securities.

    This is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy any securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction. This announcement is not intended to and does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to purchase any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of the securities referred to in this announcement in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law.

    Neither the Company nor BG Master Fund ICAV have been, and neither will be, registered under the US Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). In addition the securities referenced in this announcement have not been and will not be registered under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Consequently any such securities may not be offered, sold or otherwise transferred within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, US persons except in accordance with the Securities Act or an exemption therefrom and under circumstances which will not require the issuer of such securities to register under the Investment Company Act. No public offering of any securities will be made in the United States.

    You should always bear in mind that:

    • all investment is subject to risk;
    • results in the past are no guarantee of future results;
    • the investment performance of BGHL may go down as well as up. You may not get back all of your original investment; and
    • if you are in any doubt about the contents of this communication or if you consider making an investment decision, you are advised to seek expert financial advice.

    This communication is for information purposes only and the information contained in this communication should not be relied upon as a substitute for financial or other professional advice.

    END OF ANNOUNCEMENT

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Boussard & Gavaudan Holding Ltd (EUR): Results of Annual General Meeting

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Boussard & Gavaudan Holding Limited (the “Company”)
    a closed-ended investment company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of Guernsey
    with registration number 45582

    Legal Entity Identifier: 5493002XNM3W9D6DF327

    Results of Annual General Meeting

    The Company hereby gives notification that at the annual general meeting of the Company held on Wednesday, 25 September, 2024 at 11.30 a.m., all resolutions set out in the notice of meeting were duly passed. The Board would like to thank the shareholders of the Company for their continued support.

    The details of all resolutions passed are as follows:

    ORDINARY BUSINESS – ORDINARY RESOLUTIONS

    1.        That the Company’s annual report and audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 be received. (2,093,048 votes cast, all in favour, none against and none withheld)

    2.        That Mr Erich Bonnet who, being eligible and having offered himself for re-election, be re-appointed as a director of the Company. (2,093,048 votes cast, all in favour, none against and none withheld)

    3.        That Ms Sylvie Sauton who, being eligible and having offered herself for re-election, be re-appointed as a director of the Company. (2,093,048 votes cast, all in favour, none against and none withheld)

    4.        That Mr Luke Allen who, being eligible and having offered himself for re-election, be re-appointed as a director of the Company. (2,093,048 votes cast, all in favour, none against and none withheld)

    5.        That Mr Frédéric Hervouet who, being eligible and having offered himself for re-election, be re-appointed as a director of the Company. (2,093,048 votes cast, all in favour, none against and none withheld)

    For further information, please contact:

    Boussard & Gavaudan Investment Management, LLP
    Emmanuel Gavaudan
    +44 20 3751 5389

    JTC Fund Solutions (Guernsey) Limited
    Secretary
    +44 (0) 1481 702400

    25 September, 2024
    Website: www.bgholdingltd.com

    The Company is established as a closed-ended investment company domiciled in Guernsey. The Company has been authorised by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission as an authorised closed-ended investment scheme. The Company is registered with the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets as a collective investment scheme pursuant to article 2:73 in conjunction with 2:66 of the Dutch Financial Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel toezicht). The shares of the Company (the “Shares”) are listed on Euronext Amsterdam. The Shares are also listed on the Official List of the UK Listing Authority and admitted to trading on the London Stock Exchange plc’s main market for listed securities.

    This is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy any securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction. This announcement is not intended to and does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to purchase any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of the securities referred to in this announcement in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law.

    Neither the Company nor BG Master Fund ICAV have been, and neither will be, registered under the US Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). In addition the securities referenced in this announcement have not been and will not be registered under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Consequently any such securities may not be offered, sold or otherwise transferred within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, US persons except in accordance with the Securities Act or an exemption therefrom and under circumstances which will not require the issuer of such securities to register under the Investment Company Act. No public offering of any securities will be made in the United States.

    You should always bear in mind that:

    • all investment is subject to risk;
    • results in the past are no guarantee of future results;
    • the investment performance of BGHL may go down as well as up. You may not get back all of your original investment; and
    • if you are in any doubt about the contents of this communication or if you consider making an investment decision, you are advised to seek expert financial advice.

    This communication is for information purposes only and the information contained in this communication should not be relied upon as a substitute for financial or other professional advice.

    END OF ANNOUNCEMENT

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NRCC Announces First TV Ad In CA-09

    Source: US National Republican Congressional Committee

    The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI –

    September 25, 2024

    WASHINGTON – The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) today released the first TV ad in California’s 9th Congressional district.

    The ad exposes self-serving politician Josh Harder stashing his wealth in the notorious Cayman Islands tax haven while voting to raise taxes on Valley families, enriching himself at their expense.

    Watch the ad here:

    SCRIPT:
    Grand Cayman Island
    Perfect for a millionaire venture capitalist from San Francisco
    It’s where Josh Harder stashed his cash
    You know, the Caymans where shady businessmen avoid taxes
    While he was stashing his cash, Harder raised taxes on all of us
    Over ten billion in tax revenue…
    Tax haven for Josh Harder
    Tax increases for all of us
    Josh Harder: Just another shady politician

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: NANO Nuclear Energy Granted U.S. Department of Energy’s GAIN Voucher Award in Collaboration with Idaho National Laboratory to Support the Novel ‘ZEUS’ Microreactor Heat Exchanger Design

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    The Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) Program Voucher was Awarded to Support NANO Nuclear’s Innovation and Application of Advanced Nuclear Technologies

    New York, N.Y., Sept. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) (“NANO Nuclear” or “the Company”), a leading advanced nuclear energy and technology company focused on developing portable, clean energy solutions, today announced that it has been granted the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) Nuclear Energy (NE) voucher award for the independent assessment of its novel heat exchanger concept for open-air Brayton cycle in collaboration with the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). The heat exchanger concept provides a turnkey solution for NANO Nuclear’s patent-pending, proprietary and portable ‘ZEUS’ microreactor, currently in development.

    Figure 1 – NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. Awarded U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) GAIN Nuclear Energy Voucher for an Idaho National Laboratory-led Independent Assessment of its Novel, Turnkey Heat Exchanger Concept in its Advanced Portable Nuclear ‘ZEUS’ Microreactor (pictured rendering).

    U.S. Department of Energy’s GAIN Voucher Award can be found here: https://gain.inl.gov/gain-announces-fourth-round-fy-2024-nuclear-energy-voucher-recipients/ and https://www.energy.gov/ne/articles/4-gain-vouchers-awarded-advance-data-center-microreactor-deployment

    “It is truly an honor for us to be awarded a GAIN NE voucher to further validate and improve upon our novel heat exchanger concept,” said Prof. Massimiliano Fratoni, Ph.D., Senior Director and Head of Reactor Design of NANO Nuclear Energy. “The heat exchanger is an enabling component of our patent-pending ‘ZEUS’ microreactor design, allowing us to keep the system size compact and simplifying its design to match our vision of developing portable, secure and reliable nuclear microreactors to benefit mankind. I look forward to working alongside the leading technical personnel at the Idaho National Laboratory to further refine and progress its design, and I anticipate that this partnership will be pivotal in the future deployment of our innovative microreactor solutions.”

    With this voucher award, NANO Nuclear will collaborate with INL to conduct an independent evaluation of the heat exchanger design for the ‘ZEUS’ microreactor. Designed to fit within a 45-foot high-cube container, the patent-pending ‘ZEUS’ microreactor features a power conversion unit capable of generating 1 to 2 MW of electricity without the use of fluid coolant.

    A key aspect of this design is its ability to dissipate heat from the reactor vessel using an open-air Brayton cycle. The collaboration with INL will involve the development of a computational model to analyze and verify critical attributes of the heat exchanger essential to reactor operations, providing a comprehensive assessment of its performance.

    “The Department of Energy’s GAIN program is a major driver of nuclear innovation in the United States, and we are delighted to collaborate with the Idaho National Laboratory, with whom NANO Nuclear already maintains good relations, to further strengthen this critical component for our patent-pending ‘ZEUS’ microreactor design,” said Jay Yu, Founder and Chairman of NANO Nuclear Energy. “Our prior experience with INL, where they conducted a pre-conceptual review of our ‘ODIN’ microreactor design, was extremely valuable to us, and we are eager to take the next step in advancing our technology in collaboration with one of the world’s leading nuclear research institutions.”

    The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE) launched the GAIN program in 2016 to offer technical, regulatory, and financial support to help the nuclear industry advance innovative technologies toward commercialization. Since its launch, the program has awarded over 100 NE vouchers.

    GAIN NE voucher recipients do not receive direct financial awards as the vouchers provide funding to DOE laboratories (in this case INL) to help businesses overcome critical technological and commercialization challenges. These vouchers thus grant innovators like NANO Nuclear access to the extensive nuclear research expertise and capabilities across the DOE national laboratory complex.

    “The GAIN voucher gives us the opportunity to develop a model to simulate a critical part of the design in a timely and efficient manner,” said James Walker, Chief Executive Officer and Head of Reactor Development of NANO Nuclear Energy. “It enables us to work alongside the world-class personnel at Idaho National Laboratory and leverage their expertise to model the behavior of this key design choice of our novel heat exchanger concept. This model will serve us well in the future as we integrate it with other design elements to optimize the design for real world applications.”

    About NANO Nuclear Energy, Inc.

    NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) is an advanced technology-driven nuclear energy company seeking to become a commercially focused, diversified, and vertically integrated company across four business lines: (i) cutting edge portable microreactor technology, (ii) nuclear fuel fabrication, (iii) nuclear fuel transportation and (iv) nuclear industry consulting services. NANO Nuclear believes it is the first portable nuclear microreactor company to be listed publicly in the U.S.

    Led by a world-class nuclear engineering team, NANO Nuclear’s products in technical development are “ZEUS”, a solid core battery reactor, and “ODIN”, a low-pressure coolant reactor, each representing advanced developments in clean energy solutions that are portable, on-demand capable, advanced nuclear microreactors.

    Advanced Fuel Transportation Inc. (AFT), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is led by former executives from the largest transportation company in the world aiming to build a North American transportation company that will provide commercial quantities of HALEU fuel to small modular reactors, microreactor companies, national laboratories, military, and DOE programs. Through NANO Nuclear, AFT is the exclusive licensee of a patented high-capacity HALEU fuel transportation basket developed by three major U.S. national nuclear laboratories and funded by the Department of Energy. Assuming development and commercialization, AFT is expected to form part of the only vertically integrated nuclear fuel business of its kind in North America.

    HALEU Energy Fuel Inc. (HEF), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is focusing on the future development of a domestic source for a High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) fuel fabrication pipeline for NANO Nuclear’s own microreactors as well as the broader advanced nuclear reactor industry.

    For more corporate information please visit: https://NanoNuclearEnergy.com/

    For further information, please contact:

    Email: IR@NANONuclearEnergy.com
    Business Tel: (212) 634-9206
    PLEASE FOLLOW OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES HERE:
    NANO Nuclear Energy LINKEDIN
    NANO Nuclear Energy YOUTUBE
    NANO Nuclear Energy TWITTER

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

    This news release and statements of NANO Nuclear’s management in connection with this news release or related events contain or may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this context, forward-looking statements mean statements (including the anticipated benefits of NANO Nuclear’s collaboration with INL via the GAIN NE voucher award as described herein) related to future events, which may impact our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “potential”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would” or “may” and other words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this news release and represent management’s current views and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, events or results and involve significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control. For NANO Nuclear, particular risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements include but are not limited to the following: (i) risks related to our U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) nuclear fuel manufacturing submission and the development of new or advanced technology, including difficulties with design and testing, cost overruns, development of competitive technology, (ii) our ability to obtain contracts and funding to be able to continue operations, (iii) risks related to uncertainty regarding our ability to technologically develop and commercially deploy a competitive advanced nuclear reactor technology, (iv) risks related to the impact of government regulation and policies including by the DoE and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, including those associated with the recently enacted ADVANCE Act, and (v) similar risks and uncertainties associated with the business of a start-up business operating a highly regulated industry. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this news release. These factors may not constitute all factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in any forward-looking statement, and the NANO Nuclear therefore encourages investors to review other factors that may affect future results in its filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov and at https://ir.nanonuclearenergy.com/financial-information/sec-filings. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a predictor of actual results. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this news release, except as required by law.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Acrisure Stadium to Become a Mission Ready Venue

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Acrisure Stadium to Become a Mission Ready Venue

    Acrisure Stadium to Become a Mission Ready Venue

    Serving as a Vital Location During Disasters and Part of the NFL and FEMA’s National Strategy to Make Venues Mission Capable During Disasters

    PENNSYLVANIA — Stadiums and venues provide a central and accessible location to help communities respond to extreme weather crises, providing safe storage and shelter in times of need. With these events becoming more frequent, severe, and expensive, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and NFL Chief Security Officer Cathy Lanier today announced that Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers and University of Pittsburgh Panthers football, and a venue for touring concerts and events, will be among the first NFL venues to be designated as a Mission Ready Venue that can be used during response and recovery missions. Through Mission Ready Venues, a public-private partnership, Acrisure Stadium will increase its capabilities to better sustain public safety and be a source of support for the southwestern Pennsylvania community. The designation identifies the ways Acrisure Stadium could be used for response and recovery activities during declared emergencies or disasters.

    “We’re honored that Acrisure Stadium is among the first four NFL stadiums selected for Mission Ready Venue designation,” said James V. Sacco, Vice President of Stadium Operations & Management for Acrisure Stadium. Working collaboratively with the facility owner – the Sports and Exhibition Authority – this designation positions the stadium to partner seamlessly with local, state and federal government officials to serve the Pittsburgh community in a time of crisis or disaster. 

    During large-scale emergencies, like the COVID-19 pandemic, hurricanes, or tornadoes, we’ve seen how large music, sports and entertainment venues can serve as a safe space for communities,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “This new strategy we’re launching with the NFL is a groundbreaking opportunity to help our partners use these venues for emergency response and recovery needs, while keeping communities safe and making them more resilient. While we are starting with the NFL, all venues across sports organizations and leagues can become assets to their communities, and I encourage them to join in this collaborative effort as we grapple with the impacts of the climate crisis.”

    “Stadiums are valuable community assets that are often used in times of disasters,” said NFL Chief Security Officer Cathy Lanier. “This designation reflects the role that many stadiums play, not only on Sundays, but especially in times of need. We are proud to work with FEMA and first responders at the local and state level to ensure disaster response agencies have the information and tools they need to help a community recover when disaster strikes.” 

    According to the NYU School of Professional Studies and the U.S. Conference of Mayors, stadiums and arenas can improve the public health and well-being of their communities —including pandemic response during COVID-19. 

    “Identifying facilities in the community that can be used to support emergency management functions before a disaster or emergency occurs is critically important to ensuring an effective response and recovery,” said Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Director Randy Padfield. “The private sector has always been a committed partner and their willingness to participate in programs like this strengthens planning efforts at the local, state and federal level.”

    Given the size, capabilities, and locations of large sports venues, these existing community assets can serve the public in a variety of ways including emergency shelters, staging areas, commodity distribution sites, evacuation pick up points, disaster recovery centers, mass vaccination and testing, temporary hospitals and more. FEMA and the NFL recognized this unique opportunity for collaboration and are enlisting the support of venue owners, operators, and the tenants of these facilities to work with government officials in the planning and preparation for emergency or disaster response and recovery efforts. To receive an official Mission Ready Venue designation, venues must undergo a comprehensive assessment to determine what capabilities the venue may be able to support in emergency and disaster response and recovery efforts. The designation highlights the following attributes of selected venues: 

    • Provide Safety and Security: Stadiums are usually centrally located, close to major roadways and transportation hubs, and critical services like hospitals. If used to respond to a disaster, the designation will save valuable time and resources and will further enhance coordination between the public and private sectors during disaster response and recovery. 
    • Provide Accessibility: Stadiums are also compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act and can support persons with disabilities and others with access or functional needs. Additionally, 73% of NFL venues are accessible by mass transportation. This provides an avenue to promote equitable service to underserved populations to access potentially critical lifesaving/life sustaining services after an event. 
    • Strengthen Community Resilience: Stadiums and arenas are a focal point of communities and help strengthen social networks by enhancing connections between residents with home team pride. These Mission Ready Venues can boost morale amidst disaster. By providing a more robust and resilient environment, these venues can enhance social networks amongst survivors while providing ample opportunities to establish connections with the venue’s main tenants.
    • Ensure Unity of Effort: Coordination of stadium resources and services can support survivors and responders and help stabilize an incident quickly. Since stadiums are fixed locations, resources and services can be deployed quickly. This promotes the community’s physical and economic recovery.

    Mission Ready Venue designations are for five-year increments with a yearly check-in to ensure continued readiness of the venue. Redesignation will be necessary every five years and designation does not supersede any agreements with state, local or private sector entities.

    ###

    FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. FEMA Region 3’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Follow us on X at x.com/FEMAregion3 and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/femaregion3

    erika.osullivan

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Will Rollins caught using actors as fake cops in ads: Video investigation

    Source: US National Republican Congressional Committee

    The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI –

    September 25, 2024

    Extreme liberal Will Rollins got caught using actors as fake police officers in his campaign ads, a shameless attempt to mask his soft-on-crime record. This latest deception follows a pattern of misinformation by Rollins, who was even reprimanded by a judge for “misleading” voters.

    “Will Rollins is so desperate to hide his soft-on-crime record letting criminals off easy, he’s resorted to hiring Hollywood actors to play dress-up. Riverside County voters deserve the truth, not a phony lying politician like Rollins.” – NRCC Spokesperson Ben Petersen

    In case you missed it…

    Revealed: House Candidate Will Rollins Uses Actors To Portray Cop and Judge in Campaign Ad in Latest Exaggeration of ‘Tough on Crime’ Chops
    Washington Free Beacon
    Collin Anderson

    Will Rollins, the Democratic challenger in a hotly contested Southern California congressional race, is leaning heavily on his prosecutorial record on the campaign trail. He is even using professional actors to play law enforcement officials in a campaign ad, the Washington Free Beacon found. The ad shows Rollins, a former prosecutor, hard at work in various law enforcement settings, chatting with a detective at a roadside crime scene, arguing before a judge in a courtroom, and conferring with officers in what appears to be a police workroom.

    Rollins is running on his record as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Central District of California, where he claims he fought the Sinaloa cartel, MS-13, and ISIS. A series of recent Free Beacon reports found no evidence to back up many of his claims—and evidence that he exaggerated or embellished others.

    “Will Rollins, a counterterrorism prosecutor, took on ISIS terrorists and went after the Sinaloa cartel to stop illegal drugs from crossing our border,” a Rollins ad released in February states. It shows the candidate speaking in front of a judge and conversing with a cop.

    The spot is intended to showcase Rollins’s deep connection to law enforcement. But the cop and judge aren’t real—they’re C-list actors with long lists of cameos and credits, including on popular shows such as Grey’s Anatomy and lesser-known flicks like the Chinese-produced teacher-student romance Ms. Swan, Show Me Love.

    The revelation is the latest example of how Rollins is using misrepresentation, showmanship, and exaggeration to burnish his law enforcement record as he seeks to unseat longtime GOP incumbent Ken Calvert, whom Rollins has attacked for “failing to respect law enforcement.”

    The judge shown in Rollins’s ad is the actor, dancer, and choreographer Jayson Wright. Following stints as a backup dancer for the likes of Pink and Justin Timberlake, Wright turned to acting. He played a “bar patron” in a 2022 episode of Grey’s Anatomy, sipping whiskey by himself as the camera panned to Ellen Pompeo. Wright made a brief, nonspeaking appearance as a detective in Netflix’s The Vince Staples Show, where he appeared emerging silently from his office in the background as main character Vince talked with two (also fake) cops.

    Wright did secure a speaking role in Ms. Swan, Show Me Love, an online “micro-series” produced by Chinese-owned video streaming app ReelShort that depicts a forbidden romance between a new teacher, Ms. Swan, and a student at a prestigious private high school.

    Wright plays a patron at a local bar where a scantily clad Ms. Swan works nights. When Ms. Swan delivers Wright’s character a beer and asks if there’s “anything else” she can get him, he responds, creepily, “It’s possible…”

    The cop Rollins huddles with in his ad, meanwhile, is Jeff Deglow, a 40-year-old Calgary, Alberta, native who moved to the United States as a college student “to pursue acting as a career.”

    Deglow got his start performing in a “Shakespearean show” in Arizona. He touts his “incredible handle on Shakespearean text,” though he has lamented that he “always seem[s] to play the Fools.”

    […]

    Campaigns do often use actors in their ads, but it’s typically to provide voiceover skills, or they’re used for just their hands. Rollins’s use of actors, showing their faces in specific roles, is unusual, even more so in that his ads don’t contain disclosures.

    Indeed, there appears to be no acknowledgment anywhere of the actors’ roles. Wright and Deglow have not disclosed their work in the Rollins ad publicly—despite showcasing much of their output online, as is customary for working actors. Wright did not respond to a request for comment, while Deglow confirmed his participation in the ad but declined to comment further. Rollins’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment, nor did Mvar Media, the Democratic advertising firm that Rollins has paid more than $180,000 for “ad production” and other services since May 2023.

    Read more here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Sexual strangulation has become popular – but that doesn’t mean it’s wanted

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Hannah Bows, Associate Professor in Criminal Law, Durham University

    Shutterstock

    An act seemingly once confined to bondage and “kink” communities has become mainstream. Despite the many risks to health (including death), sexual choking is now popular, even commonplace, particularly among young people.

    Sexual choking is a more informal label for strangulation. It involves the grabbing, holding or compression of another’s neck either by hands, or limb, or by use of a prop or weapon, and typically involves restriction of blood or air flow. When it is used as part of a sexual encounter, it is frequently referred to as “erotic asphyxiation” or “breath play”.

    In a 2016 survey of Americans aged 18-60 years, 21.4% of women who had sex with men had been choked. And one in five men admitted to choking a partner (male or female) during sex.

    An Australian study from this year found that more than half of 18- to 35-year-olds reported they had been strangled during sex at least once. A similar proportion admitting to strangling a partner at least once. Though strangling is common among both men and women, evidence shows that women are more likely to be strangled and men more likely to do the strangling.

    Separate research suggests strangulation has become so normalised that many do not consider it to be a form of rough or violent sex at all. A 2019 survey found only around a third of participants considered choking to be rough sexual behaviour. Most considered hair pulling, being pinned down, biting, being tied up and slapping as rough sexual behaviour.

    While there have not been many studies on the prevalence of choking until recently, researchers and campaigners have reported that young people are talking about the practise more in recent years.

    According to a 2022 study that surveyed American university students, those who report enjoying being strangled cited a high from the experience – a feeling of euphoria – that heightens sexual pleasure.

    People give various reasons for engaging in sexual strangling, including wanting to be kinky or adventurous, believing it would please their partner, and feelings of power and dominance. But campaigners point out that the often gendered nature of strangulation can feed into wider patterns of coercion and control of women by men.

    Although sexual choking appears to be increasingly common, it is not necessarily wanted by those engaging in or receiving it. A significant proportion of women, in particular, do not consent to being choked, even if the rest of the encounter is consensual.

    A survey for the BBC in 2019 found that in a study of 2,000 young women aged 18–39, 38% had experienced unwanted slapping, choking, gagging or spitting during otherwise consensual sex. And a similar proportion of men admit to choking or strangling a partner during sex without their consent.

    Normalising strangulation

    The act of strangulation has become increasingly normalised and sexualised. The Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy, a worldwide bestseller, was widely criticised by feminist campaigners, academics and domestic abuse charities for eroticising strangulation and making it socially acceptable. The recent Netflix-produced films Lady Chatterley’s Lover and Obsession also contain strangulation during sex scenes, which are presented as part of a love story.

    A 2020 investigation by the Times found hundreds of images of sexualised choking and strangulation on Pinterest, Instagram and Tumblr. The images included pictures of young women being pinned down and strangled by men, women with gags over their mouths and children being gripped by the throat.

    Social media hashtags promoting these images include #Daddy, #ChokingKink, #BreathPlay and #Strangle. Disturbingly, the investigation found hypersexualised tags and descriptions accompanying many of these images, including one which said “bruise my oesophagus”.

    Unwanted strangulation can happen during otherwise consensual sex.
    PPstudio/Shutterstock

    Pornography has also played a role in eroticising strangulation, as part of a wider normalisation of violent sex. And research has found links between people seeing choking depicted in pornography and engaging in it themselves.

    In TV, books, social media or pornography, it is almost always men strangling women. Similarly, the evidence on real life sexual choking shows this is a practice more often done by men to women.

    The creep of strangulation into legitimate and normalised behaviour makes it more difficult for women to escape (and avoid) violent relationships. This normalisation leads many women to feel like they cannot speak up about nonconsensual choking.

    In her recent book exploring rough sex, journalist Rachel Thompson highlights that women feel refusing to participate or responding to non-consensual choking could reflect negatively on them as sexual partners.

    Risky behaviour

    Regardless of consent, strangulation is associated with a range of health risks. These include loss of consciousness, loss of voice, difficulty in swallowing or breathing, bruising, redness, haemorrhages, headaches, depression, PTSD, suicidal thoughts and death (including delayed death occurring days or weeks after the strangulation).

    Strangulation has traditionally been viewed as a violent act and has long been recognised as assault in criminal law. A growing number of homicides of women by men involve claims that the death was an accident resulting from “rough sex” gone wrong.

    Strangulation or asphyxiation is a leading cause in many of these cases, and in some, reference has been made to the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy as the inspiration for engaging in what is alleged to have been consensual sexual choking.

    England and Wales have recently introduced a new offence of non-fatal strangulation as part of domestic abuse legislation, which police appear to be actively using. But the law alone isn’t enough to change the normalisation of this dangerous act.



    Read more:
    Longer sentences for ‘rough sex’ killers may not deliver justice for victims

    Some advocates for safe BDSM practice have suggested that breath play can be done safely if there is clear consent, proper boundaries and certain rules are followed. But clinicians, academics and parliamentarians have argued there is no safe way to choke someone.

    Hannah Bows receives funding from the ESRC, British Academy & Home Office.

    – ref. Sexual strangulation has become popular – but that doesn’t mean it’s wanted – https://theconversation.com/sexual-strangulation-has-become-popular-but-that-doesnt-mean-its-wanted-239235

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Fan reviews and parodies of Amazon’s The Rings of Power show that ownership is not just determined by contracts

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Lincoln Geraghty, Professor of Media Cultures, University of Portsmouth

    The fan reaction to season one of The Rings of Power in 2022 was, to put it mildly, very mixed. Following the 2017 announcement that Amazon had bought the rights to adapt some of J.R.R Tolkien’s lesser-known work, many fans were cautious in their celebration.

    I research fandoms, so I am particularly drawn to the levels of critical analysis and humour fans employ in their review videos and parodies of The Rings of Power. They highlight that while multi-billion-dollar corporations may have the financial clout to own valuable IP and some of the biggest entertainment franchises, ownership is not just determined by contracts.

    Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-2003) stands as testament to the director’s passion for Tolkien, Middle Earth and cinematic storytelling.

    With The Rings of Power, Amazon was clearly trying to capture some of that for the small screen. They hoped to use the franchise to compete with other streaming platforms such as Netflix and Disney+, as well as copy HBO’s success with series like Game of Thrones. Epic fantasy television offered Amazon the potential for new subscribers, awards and priceless word-of-mouth marketing.

    However, that is not quite what happened. Early promotion for season one was scarce, the teaser trailer was ratioed (meaning it had thousands more dislikes than likes) and a campaign to use social media influencers and vloggers as promoters backfired.

    The trailer for season two of The Rings of Power.

    When marketing backfires

    Amazon flew a number of social media influencers and vloggers to Mallorca in Spain to watch the first teaser trailer, and then filmed their praise and reactions to be shared on their channels and Amazon’s own social media.

    But fans quickly spotted that a number of the influencers and vloggers had never made Lord of the Rings content before and most of the reactions were scripted, depending on language and nationality of the vloggers. When these promos started to be ratioed on YouTube, Amazon took them down.

    Now with season two upon us, the lack of faith in Amazon’s adaptation has not only continued – it has noticeably grown. Some content creators have reacted negatively to the company’s and showrunners’ attempts at turning the very small amount of the story and lore, to which they have rights, into many hours worth of television.

    Yet, it is how the fans respond which is often more intriguing and revealing than what they are responding to. The overall tone and argument that fans share about the series is that it lacks faithfulness to Tolkien’s world and tries to adapt and copy Jackson’s version of Middle Earth, rather than create something appealing in its own right.

    This is best highlighted in recent videos produced by well-known and controversial Lord Of The Rings fan, Nerdrotic, who outlines in enormous detail how season two has gone further in trying to sound and look like Jackson’s movies.

    Nerdrotic’s criticism of The Rings of Power.

    The use of clips, dialogue, sound effects and references to press sources raises such content to almost academic level of critique. His cultural capital and knowledge of the story and lore is clearly displayed, and used to both raise the source material up while he puts the Amazon adaptation down.

    This is typical of fans who feel their beloved text is under attack – they come to its defence by building a case for its original quality and value.

    Fan parodies

    The use of parody and humour to pour scorn on the series is also a common practice among fans. New digital technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) allow fans to create a sense of realism that again demonstrates their knowledge and love of the original works.

    Charlie Hopkinson’s Gandalf Reviews deepfake sketches have found an audience that both knows the lore but is also familiar with and enjoys the format of reaction videos made popular on YouTube. Setting Gandalf in a sitcom where he chats with other characters while watching Lord of the Rings may seem glaringly unfaithful to the material, but it uses displacement of those same characters to highlight the importance and value of the original story and movies.

    One of the Gandalf deep fake videos.

    Fans develop a strong sense of ownership over their favourite media or books. They have taken fantasy, science fiction, comic book and horror franchises to their heart and put time, money and energy into getting to know them in every detail.

    Because of the level of financial and personal investment, they feel they “own” the text and have helped make it popular in the first place. Therefore, they would argue they have every right to feel threatened, angry or frustrated at what they perceive as harm being done to it and so, by extension, them.

    Streaming platforms such as Amazon have tried to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive market by mining well-known IP to lure in fans and non-subscribers alike. However, as The Rings of Power has shown, attempts at courting fans can come at a cost which may never be recouped.

    The relationship between fans and entertainment corporations is as fraught as ever. Amazon needs Tolkien fans, but at the same time doesn’t seem to recognise the fact that the fans may not need them – or another adaption – to keep them entertained. They can do that for themselves.


    Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

    Lincoln Geraghty does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Fan reviews and parodies of Amazon’s The Rings of Power show that ownership is not just determined by contracts – https://theconversation.com/fan-reviews-and-parodies-of-amazons-the-rings-of-power-show-that-ownership-is-not-just-determined-by-contracts-238704

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: The Children Have to Hear Another Story. A retrospective of the work of Alanis Obomsawin at the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal.

    Source: Government of Canada News

    The Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (MAC) and the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) are proud to unveil the MAC’s brand-new exhibition, Alanis Obomsawin: The Children Have to Hear Another Story, which will be open to the public from September 26, 2024, to January 26, 2025, in the MAC’s temporary space at Place Ville Marie.

    Montreal, September 18, 2024 – The Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (MAC) and the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) are proud to unveil the MAC’s brand-new exhibition, Alanis Obomsawin: The Children Have to Hear Another Story, which will be open to the public from September 26, 2024, to January 26, 2025, in the MAC’s temporary space at Place Ville Marie. The exhibition dedicated to the work of Abenaki documentary filmmaker, activist, and singer Alanis Obomsawin, one of the most acclaimed Indigenous directors in the world, will be accompanied by an exclusive mural by artist Caroline Monnet: Wàbigon.

    After having enjoyed great success in Berlin, Vancouver, and Toronto, The Children Have to Hear Another Story will highlight the work of Alanis Obomsawin in the heart of Montreal. Decade by decade, this retrospective provides an exhaustive panorama of her cinematographic, visual, and musical work. The exhibition looks at the motivations of the artist, who distinguished herself from a very young age with her strength and courage. The 1960s followed, a period during which she became known to the public as an artist and activist for Indigenous rights, and the subsequent decades were just as significant, showing the evolution of her trajectory and thinking. “All my life, I have been mainly interested in education, because it is through education that we develop, that we learn hatred or love.” – Alanis Obomsawin

    The exhibition presents 13 of the 64 films Obomsawin made at the NFB, including her first, Christmas at Moose Factory (1971), which depicts a Cree community through the drawings and voices of its children; Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance (1993), which was filmed behind the barricades during the Oka crisis; and We Can’t Make the Same Mistake Twice (2016), which follows a court case First Nations representatives filed against the federal government. These films are accompanied by archival documents shedding new light on their creative process, children’s drawings from Moose Factory, and masks, engravings, and monotypes by the artist.

    Quotes 

    “It is essential to support museums and exhibitions that promote Canadians’ access to heritage to learn from the past and shape the future. I am very proud that, thanks to our government’s investment, the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal highlights the work of Indigenous artist and filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin and offers visitors a unique opportunity to discover the impact of her film work over the decades.” − The Honorable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage

    “It is an honour and privilege for me to present this retrospective exhibition of Alanis Obomsawin in the city where she has lived and worked for 70 years. A prominent figure in our cultural, political, and social landscape, Alanis is a model and inspiration for so many Indigenous and non-Indigenous filmmakers, artists, and activists. We know her for her films; the exhibition allows us to discover the singer, the storyteller, and the depth and richness of her commitment to Indigenous people across Canada.” – Lesley Johnstone, curator of the exhibition at MAC  “The NFB has been Alanis Obomsawin’s creative home for nearly 60 years. This exceptional artist has been a true trailblazer whose work has led to greater recognition of Indigenous peoples, ensuring their experiences and their hopes are seen, heard, and better understood. Her documentaries have chronicled the social and cultural changes experienced by Indigenous peoples and even played a role in bringing about these important changes. Ms. Obomsawin’s essential and accessible films continue to inspire new generations of filmmakers, both in Canada and around the world.”– Suzanne Guèvremont, Government Film Commissioner and NFB Chairperson 

    Organized by Richard Hill and Hila Peleg, Alanis Obomsawin: The Children Have to Hear Another Story is made possible through a partnership between Haus der Kulturen der Welt, Berlin, Art Museum at the University of Toronto, and Vancouver Art Gallery in collaboration with the National Film Board of Canada and with the generous support of CBC/Radio-Canada and the Canada Council for the Arts. This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada. The exhibition at the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal is curated by Lesley Johnstone, with Marjolaine Labelle, and has been made possible by the Government of Québec.

    A Mural by Caroline Monnet 

    Alongside the exhibition, the MAC will unveil an exclusive mural by Caroline Monnet: Wàbigon, which means “a flower blooms” in Anishinaabemowin and which pays homage to the major influence of Alanis Obomsawin. Caroline Monnet, an artist of Anishinaabe and French origin, created a monumental photographic portrait of eight Indigenous women and a child in an enchanted forest. Pictured are Acho Dene Koe First Nation chef and artist Swaneige Bertrand with her daughter Aja-Eyal Ferron; the artist’s sister, Émilie Monnet, an interdisciplinary performer; Caroline Monnet herself; the Guinean-Wendat dancer and choreographer Aïcha Bastien N’Diaye; Eeyou (Cree) writer and artist Virginia Pésémapéo Bordeleau; Atikamekw visual artist Catherine Boivin; Inuk singer-songwriter Elisapie Isaac; and Innu soprano Elisabeth St-Gelais.

    “This work highlights the buds that Alanis has opened during her impressive career. It is also a reaction against the excesses of industrialization. It is characterized by inventiveness, the presence of rhythms, colours, and ornamentations inspired by flora and fauna.” – Caroline Monnet

    About the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (MAC)

    For 60 years, the MAC has brought together local and international artists, their works, and diverse audiences, celebrating art as an essential component of life in Montreal and Quebec. With the Museum’s head office in the heart of the Quartier des spectacles undergoing a major architectural transformation, the MAC has temporarily relocated its activities to Place Ville Marie, another of the city’s emblematic sites. Throughout the renovations, the Museum has been reaching the public through temporary exhibitions highlighting exceptional artists and presenting a variety of practices. The MAC at Place Ville Marie also offers a wide range of educational services, creative workshops, and community awareness activities. www.macm.org  

    About the National Film Board of Canada (NFB)

    Founded in 1939, the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) is a one-of-a-kind producer, co-producer, and distributor of distinctive, engaging, relevant, and innovative documentary and animated films. As a talent Incubator, it is one of the world’s leading creative centres. The NFB has enabled Canadians to tell and hear one another’s stories for more than eight decades, and its films are a reliable and accessible educational resource. The NFB is also recognized around the world for its expertise in preservation and conservation, and for its rich and vibrant collection of works, which form a pillar of Canada’s cultural heritage. To date, the NFB has produced more than 14,000 works, 7,000 of which can be streamed free of charge at nfb.ca. The NFB and its productions and co-productions have earned more than 7,000 awards, including 11 Oscars and an Honorary Academy Award for overall excellence in cinema.

    Credit: Richard Cardinal: Cry from a Diary of a Métis Child, 1986 (production photograph). Courtesy of the National Film Board of Canada and Alanis Obomsawin.

    -30-

    For all interview requests or questions regarding the exhibition, please contact:
     Thara Communications | relations.presse@macm.org
    Thara Tremblay-Nantel | 514-208-6897
    Solneige Diaz | 514-449-7219

    For all questions regarding the NFB:
     Marie-Claude Lamoureux, press officer
    m.lamoureux@onf.ca | 438-304-6358

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lumen Field to Become a Mission Ready Venue

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Lumen Field to Become a Mission Ready Venue

    Lumen Field to Become a Mission Ready Venue

    BOTHELL, Wash – Stadiums and venues provide a central and accessible location to help communities respond to extreme weather crises, providing safe storage and shelter in times of need. With these events becoming more frequent, severe, and expensive, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and NFL Chief Security Officer Cathy Lanier today announced that Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, home of the Seahawks, will be among the first NFL venues to be designated as a Mission Ready Venue that can be used during response and recovery missions. Through Mission Ready Venues, a public-private partnership, Lumen Field will increase its capabilities to better sustain public safety and be a source of support for the community they serve. The designation identifies the ways Lumen Field could be used for response and recovery activities during declared emergencies or disasters.

    “The Seahawks and Lumen Field are proud to be one of the first NFL stadiums to be designated a Mission Ready Venue,” said Zach Hensley, Seattle Seahawks Vice President of Operations and General Manager of Lumen Field. “A commitment to community is fundamental to our organization, and the unique attributes that allow us to host more than two million guests each year can be an invaluable resource to the larger Pacific Northwest region in times of need.”

    “During large-scale emergencies, like the COVID-19 pandemic, hurricanes, or tornados, we’ve seen how large music, sports and entertainment venues can serve as a safe space for communities,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “This new strategy we’re launching with the NFL is a groundbreaking opportunity to help our partners use these venues for emergency response and recovery needs, while keeping communities safe and making them more resilient. While we are starting with the NFL, all venues across sports organizations and leagues can become assets to their communities, and I encourage them to join in this collaborative effort as we grapple with the impacts of the climate crisis.”

    “I’m pleased to have Lumen Field designated as a Mission Ready Venue,” said FEMA Region 10 Administrator Willie G. Nunn. “In a time of crisis, it’s important that we all work together and look at all options to support disaster survivors. Lumen Field is well-known in our community as a place to congregate for Seahawks games and other community events. When a large disaster strikes, it’s great to know that Lumen Field can play a pivotal role in helping our community.” 

    “Stadiums are valuable community assets that are often used in times of disasters,” said NFL Chief Security Officer Cathy Lanier. “This designation reflects the role that many stadiums play, not only on Sundays, but especially in times of need. We are proud to work with FEMA and first responders at the local and state level to ensure disaster response agencies have the information and tools they need to help a community recover when disaster strikes.” 

    According to the NYU School of Professional Studies and the U.S. Conference of Mayors, stadiums and arenas can improve the public health and well-being of their communities —including pandemic response during COVID-19. 

    “Seattle is proud that Lumen Field is designated as a disaster response and recovery venue,” said Curry Mayer, Director, Seattle Office of Emergency Management. “Lumen Field was successfully used as a mass vaccination site during the COVID pandemic. Lumen has all the amenities needed to serve the public and is easily accessible for Seattle’s communities.”

    Given the size, capabilities, and locations of large sports venues, these existing community assets can serve the public in a variety of ways including emergency shelters, staging areas, commodity distribution sites, evacuation pick up points, disaster recovery centers, mass vaccination and testing, temporary hospitals and more. FEMA and the NFL recognized this unique opportunity for collaboration and are enlisting the support of venue owners, operators, and the tenants of these facilities to work with government officials in the planning and preparation for emergency or disaster response and recovery efforts.  To receive an official Mission Ready Venue designation, venues must undergo a comprehensive assessment to determine what capabilities the venue may be able to support in emergency and disaster response and recovery efforts. The designation highlights the following attributes of selected venues: 

    • Provide Safety and Security: Stadiums are usually centrally located, close to major roadways and transportation hubs, and critical services like hospitals. If used to respond to a disaster, the designation will save valuable time and resources and will further enhance coordination between the public and private sectors during disaster response and recovery. 
    • Provide Accessibility: Stadiums are also compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act and can support persons with disabilities and others with access or functional needs. Additionally, 73% of NFL venues are accessible by mass transportation. This provides an avenue to promote equitable service to underserved populations to access potentially critical lifesaving/life sustaining services after an event. 
    • Strengthen Community Resilience: Stadiums and arenas are a focal point of communities and help strengthen social networks by enhancing connections between residents with home team pride. These Mission Ready Venues can boost morale amidst disaster. By providing a more robust and resilient environment, these venues can enhance social networks amongst survivors while providing ample opportunities to establish connections with the venue’s main tenants.
    • Ensure Unity of Effort: Coordination of stadium resources and services can support survivors and responders and help stabilize an incident quickly. Since stadiums are fixed locations, resources and services can be deployed quickly. This promotes the community’s physical and economic recovery.

    Mission Ready Venue designations are for five-year increments with a yearly check-in to ensure continued readiness of the venue. Redesignation will be necessary every five years and designation does not supersede any agreements with state, local or private sector entities. 

    ###

    Follow FEMA Region 10 on X and LinkedIn for the latest updates and visit FEMA.gov for more information.

    FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.

    natalie.shaver

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Children Need to Hear a Different Story: A Retrospective of Alanis Obomsawin’s Work at the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal.

    MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –

    Source: Government of Canada – in French 1

    The Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (MAC) and the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) are proud to unveil Alanis Obomsawin: Children Must Hear Another Story, the MAC’s newest exhibition that will be open to the public from September 26, 2024 to January 26, 2025 in the MAC’s temporary space at Place Ville Marie.

    Montreal, September 18, 2024 – The Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (MAC) and the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) are proud to unveil Alanis Obomsawin: Children Must Hear Another Story, the MAC’s newest exhibition that will be open to the public from September 26, 2024 to January 26, 2025, in the MAC’s temporary space at Place Ville Marie. The exhibition, dedicated to the work of Abenaki documentarian, activist and singer Alanis Obomsawin, one of the world’s most acclaimed Indigenous filmmakers, will be accompanied by Wàbigon, an exclusive mural by artist Caroline Monnet.

    After enjoying great success in Berlin, Vancouver and Toronto, Children Must Hear Another Story will highlight the work of Alanis Obomsawin in the heart of the Montreal metropolis. Divided by decades, this retrospective provides an exhaustive panorama of her cinematographic, visual and musical work. The exhibition focuses in particular on the motivations of the artist, who distinguished herself by her strength and courage from a very young age; followed by the 1960s, a period during which she became known to the public as an artist and activist for indigenous rights, then the subsequent periods, just as significant, which allow us to follow the evolution of her trajectory and her thinking.

    “My whole life I have been primarily interested in education, because it is through education that we develop, that we learn to hate or love.” – Alanis Obomsawin

    The exhibition presents 13 of the 64 films Alanis Obomsawin made at the NFB, including her first, Christmas at Moose Factory (1971), which depicts the Cree community through the drawings and voices of its children; Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance (1993), filmed behind the barricades during the Oka Crisis; and You Can’t Make the Same Mistake Twice (2016), which follows the lawsuit brought against the federal government by First Nations representatives. These films are accompanied by archival documents that shed new light on the process of their creation; drawings by children from Moose Factory; and masks, prints and monotypes by the artist.

    Quotes

    “Supporting museums and exhibitions that provide Canadians with access to heritage is essential to learning from the past and shaping the future. I am very proud that, thanks to our government’s investment, the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal is showcasing the work of Indigenous artist and filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin and offering visitors a unique opportunity to discover the impact of her film work over the decades.” − The Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage

    “It is an honour and a privilege for me to present this retrospective exhibition of Alanis Obomsawin in the city where she has lived and worked for 70 years. A leading figure in our cultural, political and social landscape, Alanis is a role model and inspiration for so many Indigenous and non-Indigenous filmmakers, artists and activists. We know her for her films; the exhibition allows us to discover the singer, the storyteller, and the depth and richness of her commitment to Indigenous peoples across Canada.” – Lesley Johnstone, exhibition curator at the MAC

    “The NFB has been Alanis Obomsawin’s creative home for nearly 60 years. This exceptional artist paved the way for true recognition of Indigenous peoples, so that their realities and aspirations could be seen, heard and better known. Her documentary films bear witness to the social and cultural changes experienced by First Peoples and have contributed in their own way to these major transformations. Ms. Obomsawin’s essential and accessible work continues to inspire new generations of filmmakers in Canada and around the world.” – Suzanne Guèvremont, Government Film Commissioner and Chair of the NFB

    Organized by Richard Hill and Hila Peleg, the exhibition Alanis Obomsawin: Children Must Hear Another Story is made possible through a partnership between the Haus der Kulturen der Welt (Berlin), the Art Museum at the University of Toronto and the Vancouver Art Gallery, in collaboration with the National Film Board of Canada and with the generous support of CBC/Radio-Canada and the Canada Council for the Arts. This project was made possible in part by the Government of Canada. The exhibition at the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal is organized by Lesley Johnstone, with Marjolaine Labelle, and made possible by the Government of Quebec.

    A mural by Caroline Monnet

    In conjunction with the exhibition, the MAC will unveil an exclusive mural by Caroline Monnet that pays tribute to Alanis Obomsawin’s major influence: Wàbigon, which means “a flower blooms” in Anishinaabemowin. Caroline Monnet, an artist of Anishinaabe and French descent, has created a monumental photographic portrait of eight Indigenous women and a child in an enchanted forest. It features Acho Dene Koe First Nation chief and artist Swaneige Bertrand with her daughter Aja-Eyal Ferron; the artist’s sister, Émilie Monnet, an interdisciplinary performer; Caroline Monnet herself; Guinean-Wendat dancer and choreographer Aïcha Bastien N’Diay; Eeyou (Cree) writer and artist Virginia Pésémapéo Bordeleau; Atikamekw visual artist Catherine Boivin; Inuk singer-songwriter Elisapie Isaac; and Innu soprano Elisabeth St-Gelais.

    “This work highlights the buds that Alanis has managed to deploy during her impressive career. It is also a reaction against the excesses of industrialization. It is characterized by inventiveness, the presence of rhythms, colors and ornamentations inspired by fauna and flora.” – Caroline Monnet, artist

    The press kit and visuals can be downloaded here.

    About the Montreal Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC)

    For 60 years, the MAC has brought together local and international artists, their works and diverse audiences, celebrating art as an essential component of life in Montreal and Quebec. With the Museum’s headquarters in the heart of the Quartier des spectacles undergoing a major architectural transformation, the MAC has temporarily relocated its activities to Place Ville Marie, another iconic location in the city. Throughout the renovations, the Museum is reaching out to the public through temporary exhibitions highlighting exceptional artists and presenting a variety of practices. The MAC at Place Ville Marie also offers a wide range of educational services, creative workshops and community outreach activities. www.macm.org

    About the National Film Board of Canada (NFB)

    Founded in 1939, the NFB produces, co-produces and distributes distinctive, engaging, relevant and innovative documentaries and animated films. It is an incubator of talent and one of the world’s largest creative laboratories. For more than eight decades, the NFB has provided Canadians with the opportunity to share their stories and connect with one another. Its films are also a trusted and accessible educational resource. The NFB also has world-renowned expertise in preservation and conservation, and a rich living collection of works that constitute an important pillar of Canada’s cultural heritage. To date, the NFB has produced more than 14,000 works, 7,000 of which are available online for free at nfb.caThe NFB and its productions and co-productions have won over 7,000 awards, including 11 Oscars and an honorary Oscar recognizing the organization’s excellence in all areas of cinematography.

    Credit: Richard Cardinal: The Cry of a Métis Child, 1986 (production still). Courtesy of the National Film Board of Canada and Alanis Obomsawin.

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    For all interview requests or questions regarding the exhibition, please contact: Thara Communications | relations.presse@macm.orgThara Tremblay-Nantel | 514-208-6897Solneige Diaz | 514-449-7219

    For all questions concerning the NFB: Marie-Claude Lamoureux, press officerm.lamoureux@nfb.ca| 438-304-6358Children need to hear another story. A retrospective of Alanis Obomsawin’s work at the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal.

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI